If Kieran Foran can help Manly reach this year's NRL grand final it will be tribute to his sheer resilience.
When Foran quit the Sea Eagles at the end of 2015 to join Parramatta the rugby league world was at his feet.
A teen sensation who'd combined with Daly Cherry-Evans to lead Manly to the 2011 premiership, Foran was swiftly appointed Eels captain.
Everything wasn't right, however.
Foran was battling off-field issues - depression, gambling, alcohol addiction - and in April 2016 he was rushed to hospital after overdosing on prescription medication.
He would later reveal it was a suicide attempt.
Foran's body was also broken.
Shoulders, hamstrings, pectoral muscles - you name it, the New Zealand international has probably damaged it.
After one season with Parramatta Foran moved to the Warriors in 2017, then Canterbury - failing to play more than 20 games in a season for any of those teams.
A return to the Sea Eagles for 2021 has brought a change of fortune for the 31-year-old.
Reunited with coach Des Hasler and Cherry-Evans, Foran has made 24 appearances this year - the most in a single campaign for him since 2013 when he helped Manly reach the grand final.
Foran will face an old friend in Friday's preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium - international teammate Benji Marshall.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a similarly unexpected year after being thrown a career lifeline by South Sydney in January, playing largely as a bench utility for Wayne Bennett's team.
As he prepared to face off against his old friend, Marshall said Foran's spirit simply had to be admired.
"I know what it's like when you're playing injured, it's hard to play your best, but then when you do get injury free and you make the most of it and you're playing well, it's a good feeling," Marshall told AAP.
"Playing one first grade game is a hard task but to get through a few and comeback after a lot of setbacks, it's just testament to his character.
"We've all seen what Kieran can do with the footy and what he does in the field, he's a tough bloke, so happy for him. He's going good."
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Australian Associated Press
