Big hit: Israel Folau's local popularity was obvious
when he visited Bundamba State Secondary College
earlier this year.
DESPITE being on the verge of deserting the game which made him famous, former Goodna Eagles junior Israel Folau will still have a street in Ipswich named after him.
Folau is officially a free agent after deciding not to exercise an extension in his contract yesterday.
Councillor for the Goodna region Paul Tully said a new street in Goodna would still be named after Folau within the next three months to recognise his status as an Australian Test player.
"It will not matter which code he switches to, because the honour is for him being a rugby league international from Goodna," Cr Tully said.
"I want to start a tradition of recognising international sportsmen who played for Goodna."
Folau is just the second Goodna Eagles junior to play rugby league for Australia.
Team of the Century prop and former Goodna star Noel Kelly is the other, and he also has a street in Goodna named after him.
Kelly said he thought Folau needed to prove himself more before a street was named in his honour.
"I had to wait over 60 years for my street," Kelly laughed.
"I think it's a bit early for him. But Tully knows what Goodna wants."
Folau is weighing up two massive offers from rival codes.
The main contender for his services are the Melbourne Rebels.
The Rebels are reportedly offering Folau $800,000 a season, but their offer has allegedly been trumped by the AFL who are offering him $1 million a season to become the face of their new Greater Western Sydney franchise.
Kelly said if he was Folau, he would take the money.
