The former NRL playmaker rejoins the Group 21 competition in 2022, having enjoyed back-to-back Newcastle Rugby League campaigns with the Goannas.

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"Cessnock were lacking a halfback at the time and I said I'd love to come back and have a crack. I've been really blessed," Foran told the Newcastle Herald.

"I wanted to see if I could still run around at that level and to see how the body would hold up. I surprised myself this year with just with how much footy I did play.

"I really enjoyed my time there and I tried to offer a bit of experience where I could. The younger players coming through made me want to prove myself as well."

The Muswellbrook-based father-of-four, with children aged between nine years and seven months, has now opted to play a bit closer to home.

"Purely on the amount of travel. I've got four kids and work 12-hour shifts from Monday to Friday," he said.

"It's pretty hard to commit to get to training and I didn't want to let the team or the boys down."

The Goannas finished second on the ladder this year before play was abandoned, but beat Souths in the 2020 grand final.

This was Foran's second stint at Cessnock, having previously played at the club in 2015 and 2016 shortly after his time in the NRL (2008, 2012) and English Super League (2013).

The former Melbourne, Manly and Salford pivot then headed to Group 21, claiming a premiership and winning player of the year during three seasons at Aberdeen.

A deal to help rebuild Greta Branxton in 2020 never fully came to fruition when last year's Upper Hunter competition was cancelled because of coronavirus.

Now he's aligned with Denman.

"It's a good opportunity to be with Denman in the club's 100^th year," Foran said.

"I'll try and put my best foot forward, try and recruit a few players if possible but mainly try and use the local talent."

Foran's brother Kieran is part of the current NRL play-offs with Manly up against Souths, including five-eighth Cody Walker, in a bid to make next weekend's decider.

Twelve months earlier it was a similar family affair with Foran meeting Ryan Walker, sibling of Cody, in a Newcastle RL semi between Cessnock and Wests.

Foran said he was disappointed being unable to watch in person in Brisbane on Friday night, but would support from afar.

"I think they (Sea Eagles) can do it. They've showed they can score 40 points comfortably, but Souths don't give you any points. They've also been able to play different styles of footy when it counts," he said.

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