When Kieran Foran came to the end of his stellar career as a player he had a prophetic message for current Gold Coast half Zane Harrison.
"When he was retiring he said, 'You might be next in line here so get ready'," Harrison said.
How true those words have proven to be.
Harrison, 20, will play in the No.7 jersey against Manly coach Foran's Sea Eagles on Sunday in Robina with the ethos of the 2011 premiership winner embedded in him.
Foran finished his 318-game NRL career at the Titans last year and Harrison was a sponge, soaking up all his wisdom.
"It was good getting a year under Fozzy and the experience and leadership he shows is something I try and take into my game now," Harrison said.
"He was an old fella when I was coming in but he had toughness, competitiveness and that never-say-die attitude. He was a big mentor for me."
Foran was considering taking a job on the Titans coaching staff for 2026 but returned to Manly as an assistant before being made head coach.
"I wanted him around the club as a former half/five-eighth in the same position as me," Harrison said.
"It was disappointing but that's the chapter he's gone with now and he's successful in it."
Manly are in ninth position just outside the top eight but Harrison, who has been outstanding in his eight NRL games so far, won't be doing his old mentor any favours.
"Obviously it is a business and you want to win games for your club and your fans and family. He's a legend but we are chasing a win this week," Harrison said.
Harrison showed his composure and class against Penrith in round 16 in his best NRL game so far when he landed an 80th-minute field goal and had three try assists in a 19-18 win.
He was not at his best the following match against Canterbury, just like his teammates, in a 30-12 loss but returned to form in a heartbreaking 22-18 defeat against Melbourne on Sunday night.
"It is about consistency. It is a mental thing and an attitude thing," Harrison said.
"We were really good against Storm early and that is what we want to bring against Manly. We want to be physical early and establish our game."
Harrison is a promising game manager and has unlocked the running game of five-eighth Jayden Campbell.
"Our whole combination as a spine has been really good and positive and we are building towards something really special," he said.
