Wests Tiger Curtis Sironen ready to make his own name

[innsaneink]

Versatile young Wests Tiger Curtis Sironen wants crack at Auckland Nines

Nathan Ryan
FOX SPORTS
January 29, 2014 4:21PM
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CURTIS Sironen is ready to put his famous name to good use and it all starts with the Auckland Nines.

The Wests Tigers backrower is eager to take part in the inaugural two-day tournament starting on February 15.

With the ability to play five-eighth and in the second row, Sironen believes his versatility is ideal for a nine-a-side game.

"We've started to do a bit of training now to show what we've got and hopefully Mick (Potter) gives us a spot in the squad," Sironen said.

"Hopefully that versatility I've got allows me to be competitive.

"Playing in the backrow you've got to have a pretty good engine so hopefully I can hang in there… having an offload and being able to play some second phase footy. Being the first nines competition it would be unreal to be part of it (and) rip in before the season kicks off."

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Unsure of the strategy his team will be using, Sironen expects a mixture of "off the cuff footy" and second phase play will win-out over a structured style.

"Offloads being thrown out the back and fast passes," he said of his expectations. "I don't think there will be much structure, especially with how quick the halves are. I think the coaches will get a little bit of a game plan - stick to the basics I think and just play footy. It'd be awesome."

25 games into his NRL career, Sironen is set for his third year of first grade.

Having made the City Origin squad last season, Sironen has had long enough to get used to not only the pressures of first grade but being a second-generation footballer.


_Curtis Sironen scores for the Tigers at the SCG._
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The son of Tigers legend Paul Sironen, the 20-year-old says he doesn't let the pressure of his father's achievements affect him as he establishes his own name.

"I just embrace (the pressure)," he said.

"I've got this last name and I might as well put it to good use. If I can go out and play good footy I'll make my own name. Back when I was a bit younger playing school footy it used to affect me a bit but I've matured. I'm starting to feel more confident in myself and already pushed that to the back of my head already… My teammates don't see me as Paul's son they see me as myself so that's all that matters to me."


_Curtis Sironen takes a knock._
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Making 19 appearances for the Tigers last season, the 2011 Australian schoolboy has used the pre-season to work on what he calls "a few discrepancies" in his game.

Having packed on four kilos of lean muscle during the pre-season, Sironen has upped his weight to 106 kilos - a mass which has him feeling "more confident" about his frame.

Sironen says his main goal this season is ensuring he is in Mick Potter's 17-man squad each week and not just to make up the numbers.


_Tiger's Curtis Sironen during Wests Tigers training at Concord Oval, Concord ._
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"All I want to do is have a full season in first grade with no injuries and not just be there to make up the numbers. I want to be competitive and have a good year," he said.

"For me it's just staying on the field and being competitive. I'm still not 100 percent sure where I'll be playing - being at six or in the backrow - I've just got to keep up all my skills. If I'm going to play in the backrow I'll still need to work on my kicking game just in case I'm thrown into the halves.


_Mitchell Moses , Curtis Sironen and Luke Brooks the West Tigers Young Guns at Concrod Oval , Concord_
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"Doing little things like that, all the extras and rehabbing a few injuries I've had over the last couple of seasons. Obviously I want to keep those at bay and give myself the best opportunity to be in the 17."

Having finished second last in 2013, the one positive for the club was the emergence of a host of young stars. Sironen says he is confident the club can turn their fortunes around after recruiting some fresh faces, added with a balanced mix of youngsters and experienced veterans.


_Luke Brooks and Curtis Sironen during Wests Tigers training at Concord Oval , Concord_
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"Robbie, Braith and Fulton they steer us in the right direction and we just do what we're told," he said. "We're just there to rip in and make an impact. I don't really feel like a young bloke anymore. That sounds weird because I'm only 20 but all our mates are in the same boat. It's a good feeling at the club at the moment. We just need to make sure that when we get out there round one we don't use us being a young side as an excuse."

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au//league/versatile-young-wests-tiger-curtis-sironen-wants-crack-at-auckland-nines/story-e6frf3ou-1226813156168#ixzz2rlS5zzsD

 

[TurnStyle]

cool article. thanks for posting ink.

 

[innsaneink]

Genetics eh…

 

[BrotherJim05]

While I'm 90% sure that Siro would be better served in the back row, there is that 10% of me which wonders what he would be like partnering Brooks in the halves. It would be close to an Reynolds/Sutton style partnership.

Still…hope he gets an injury free season and gets plenty of game time in backrow.

 

[cqtiger]

If he was the world's biggest 5/8 last year and he has put on 4 kgs then I think he is a pig for sure. Nothing wrong with size and speed for a young fella, ala bobby McCarthy.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[happy_tiger]

If he was the world's biggest 5/8 last year and he has put on 4 kgs then I think he is a pig for sure. Nothing wrong with size and speed for a young fella, ala bobby McCarthy.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

Brooks will need an experienced head for the short term to help him through the bad days

I don't think young Sirro will fit that role , but having a damaging hard running second rower will be nice for a change and will help Brooks when he is looking for options close to the line running angles to take the heat off Lawrence and Simona

 

[stevetiger]

Brooks will need an experienced head for the short term to help him through the bad days

I reckon more important than experience is a player who is a making positive plays throughout the game.

If Anasta is at 6 and doing sweet nothing it is not a good option. If Sirro is at 6 and busting the line and setting up plays that would help Brooks.

Maybe Anasta will improve as compared to last year however I would pick on form rather than on experience.

 

[Guest]

106kg…Be interesting to see if he has held his pace but in all honesty I see him as a fantastic backrower in the making with the skillset he has, plus his height which makes him hard to handle at times. I think its inevitable he'll probably end up playing at around 110kg given he's still only 20 and likely to gain another 3-5kg over the next couple of years.

 

[alex]

As much as Anasta's experience could help Brooks, I kind of like the idea of having two rookie halves as they will not over call each other. In every game Miller played, he was simply just catching the ball and passing it to Benji. I feel with two rookies they'd share the workload more. Would love to see Austin given a crack if his form is as good as it was in the NSW Cup finals

 

[happy_tiger]

As much as Anasta's experience could help Brooks, I kind of like the idea of having two rookie halves as they will not over call each other. In every game Miller played, he was simply just catching the ball and passing it to Benji. I feel with two rookies they'd share the workload more. Would love to see Austin given a crack if his form is as good as it was in the NSW Cup finals

Comparing Benji and Anasta is like comparing chalk and cheese

Major difference is Farah and Anasta haven't been playing together for 10 seasons

And Anasta's ego is not even as close to as big as Marshall's was

Anasta will let Brooks call the shots

The bigger concern will be Farah , not Anasta

 

[pHyR3]

the one thing thats stood out to me is how people IN THE TEAM keep on complimenting Anasta along with the usuals like Farah. It makes me think that we judge him too harshly on this forum, especially considering he was playing out of necessity a lot with a groin injury late last year (when he form was the worst).

The 1st Storm game he was actually really good (first time at halfback). And i wanna give him another shot for 2-3 games before thinking about bringing in Austin.

 

[BrotherJim05]

the one thing thats stood out to me is how people IN THE TEAM keep on complimenting Anasta along with the usuals like Farah. It makes me think that we judge him too harshly on this forum, especially considering he was playing out of necessity a lot with a groin injury late last year (when he form was the worst).

The 1st Storm game he was actually really good (first time at halfback). And i wanna give him another shot for 2-3 games before thinking about bringing in Austin.

Yeah I completely agree. I'm hoping Anasta gets first crack and a chance to prove himself. It will most likely be his last year so you would hope he could end it knowing he made some sort of positive impact at WT.
If Anasta ends up with any sort of niggling injury he should let Austin have a crack. If Austin starts killing it then he should retain #6 for as long as he keeps his form up.

One thing I loved about Siro in the backrow was that he was actually scoring tries. He is very good close to the line and with the extra 6kg he will be very damaging.

 

[Sully]

I can't wait to see him in 2014\. In a few years he will be joined by his younger brother Bailey who will be a good combo for our future. Sirro senior was my all time favourite tiger and I am sure his son will be better if he stays injury free. Imagine if Paul had been able to pass and kick like Curtis?????

 

[tigerbenji]

I like Curtis in the 2nd Row & think he could kill it, His Brother could be just as good or better, we have to sign Curtis up asap as Manly are really impressed by him.

 

[happy_tiger]

I like Curtis in the 2nd Row & think he could kill it, His Brother could be just as good or better, we have to sign Curtis up asap as Manly are really impressed by him.

Manly sights are switched to Fifita if what the rumour mill is spewing out is true

 

[TurnStyle]

hmm, there seems to be a bit of positivity around anasta lately. like others, i too hope he can become a valuable player, and i agree that with no marshall around things could get a lot more team oriented in the halves. obviously, as a tigers supporter i hope he does really well, but i also have high hopes for austin.

fafita to manly seems a good fit to me. he seems like a manly type of player. may need to get some grubbiness tuition from g stewart, but i think hed fit right in.

 

[simonthetiger]

I'm not feeling positive about Anasta at all…..I havent seen a thing from him.No pass,no tackle and def no hit up.

IMO he is getting in the way of Curtis or Austin playing there.

I reckon he had about 3 games to show some form or the axe looms,if he doesnt get axed I reckon Potter will get it for leaving him there.

 

[sheer64]

As the premiership winning 5/8 no defense could stop. Sounds like a plan.

 

[pHyR3]

I'm not feeling positive about Anasta at all…..I havent seen a thing from him.No pass,no tackle and def no hit up.

IMO he is getting in the way of Curtis or Austin playing there.

I reckon he had about 3 games to show some form or the axe looms,if he doesnt get axed I reckon Potter will get it for leaving him there.

Curtis Sironen Was the biggest half in the WORLD last year and since then he has put on 4 more kilos.

can't believe people are still considering putting him there as a first or second choice option.

 

[simonthetiger]

I dont see what his size has to do with it at all…...John Sutton is bigger and he had a stellar year and was considered for NSW.

There have been some very big boys play 6 and excel.....Fittler and Barrett spring to mind..both over 6 ft and solid too.