‘Fire still burns’: The motivation driving incoming Wests Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer
August 24, 2023 — 4.00pm
Aidan Sezer, the halfback entrusted with guiding Wests Tigers out of the wilderness, cast his mind back four seasons when asked what is driving his second coming in the NRL.
“It’s a little bit bittersweet,” Sezer said of Canberra’s heartbreaking loss in the 2019 grand final, during which a controversial six-again decision led to winning try for the Roosters.
“People always say you’re more hungry when you get there and lose, and I have an opportunity to right a wrong with something that still burns inside me.
“Coming over [to England] put that on the backburner for a bit. It has been a good experience, but I’m really keen to get home.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to come back, first and foremost. Hopefully, I can come back and play some good footy because losing the GF and then coming over here, the fire is still burning to get back to playing in the NRL and at a high level.”
Sezer has been tasked with stepping into the No.7 jersey that has belonged to Luke Brooks for an extended period. He will do so at the age of 32 after spending the past four years in the Super League, with Huddersfield and then Leeds.
While most pundits believe rookie coach Benji Marshall has accepted the toughest job in the NRL – he takes over a side that earned a wooden spoon in 2022 and is closing in on a second – similar musings can be made about Sezer’s role.
Sezer will unite at the scrum base with an inexperienced half, either former Dragon Jayden Sullivan or the promising but untested Latu Fainu. The former Raiders and Titans playmaker believes the experience of playing more than 200 games in two competitions in two countries has prepared him for the scrutiny that will be coming his way.
“It comes with the territory, being the halfback of the team, the pressure that comes with that,” Sezer said from England in his first interview since signing with the Tigers.
“For me, there are two talented halves coming to the club next year, and they will be champing at the bit to get their careers started and be regulars in the NRL.
“I’m under no illusions that I’ve got some hard work ahead of me and I need to prove myself to the playing group, first with the way I train and go about things day-to-day.
“Hopefully, I will be that voice for the halves as well.”
When Marshall first reached out to Sezer a couple of months ago about the prospect of joining the Tigers, the timing could not have been better. Sezer has enjoyed his stint in the Super League – he missed last year’s grand final loss to St Helens after suffering a concussion in the preceding game – but was ready to return to Australia.
“It’s been a really good experience, but I’m really keen to get home – I’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” he said.
“Driving to games, thinking about going home, it’s not healthy. I’m over the moon to be coming back to Australia and back in the NRL, to have the opportunity to play there again.
“The club has ambitions to move up the ladder and, hopefully, I can be a part of it.”
Incoming Wests Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer
“Me and the missus have been away from home [in Sydney] since we were teenagers, since I was on the Gold Coast. It’s been a long time and I’m knocking on a bit with my age, so I’m thinking about post-footy things a lot more and just getting home.
“Hopefully, I can finish well with Leeds and then get back home with family and friends, feel a bit normal again and not be homesick all the time.”
The chance to play under Marshall also holds appeal.
“He’s one of the best halves of all time and to be under his tutelage at this stage of my career is something I’m looking forward to,” he said.
“He only retired not long ago and still understands the game in and out, being an ex-player from not too far back. I’m looking forward to getting home and working under him, taking it all in my stride with a young team and also some senior players like Johnny Bateman, Api [Koroisau] is a quality hooker and one of the best in the comp.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the squad and earning their respect from hard work.”
Sezer is under no illusions about the enormity of the challenge facing the Tigers, but believes he is up to it.
“The only way is up, isn’t it?” he said. “With Benji there and his stature in the game, he will attract players. He has the intellect to be a great coach.
“There’s a lot of building [to do]. The club has ambitions to move up the ladder and, hopefully, I can be a part of it.”
