Curtis Sironen has declared he wants to play out his career as a one-club man at the Wests Tigers after committing to the joint venture for three more years on Thursday.
The tough utility has signed on with the Tigers until the end of the 2017 NRL season, joining a host of other talented youngsters including Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, David Nofoaluma and Mitchell Moses in pledging their future to the club.
Equal top of the NRL ladder after seven rounds the Tigers have moved to secure the majority of their young squad as they embark on a new era.
Club boss Grant Meyer welcomed Benji Marshall’s return to the NRL this week. But quickly noted the Tigers had moved on since the club legend swapped to rugby union at the end of last season.
Sironen’s re-signing is another indication of that, and the son of Balmain Tigers great Paul said he hoped to play out his career with the Tigers.
“I could see myself playing out my career here,” Sironen said.
“With the core we have got, I grew up with a lot of the boys and we are like mates so it makes it a lot easier coming every day it is not repetitive and it is fun every day.
“To me it wasn’t about money I wanted to be here, I wanted to stay here, get healthy and play footy.
“I’ve always wanted to play with the club.
“Now I don’t have to worry about playing for a contract, I can just get healthy and concentrate on my footy.”
Sironen suffered a Lisfranc fracture in the Auckland Nines and is due back in round 13.
His father played 246 first grade games for Balmain but Curtis said he didn’t pressure him to stay.
“He gave me some advice in terms of security, signing contracts, you have take care of your future, but there was no pressure from him for me to stay at the club,” he said.
“He wasn’t going to blow up or anything if I did leave.
“But I never even thought about that happening, so it was a pretty easy decision for me.
“That game against Manly (at Leichhardt Oval) the other day it really hit me that I wanted to be here – 16,000 in the p***ing down rain, cheering the boys on, I thought geez I just want to play footy here.
“I have the all clear to play now from the doctors, the bone in the foot has healed, now it is getting my running up and my match fitness and trying to get a spot back in the side.”
HARRY HOPWORTHY
Guest
Balmain used to be my favourite club when they played at the top level of Australian club Rugby League. If they still existed in the first division, Curtis, most likely would be playing for them, as his father, Paul, used to do. Along with the likes of, : Wayne Pearce, Steve Roache and Benny Elias. Ian Mcann is another Balmain player that I recall. I remember the surname of another player, : Edmed. It could have been Steve, I suppose. Sironen is an interesting name. It's Finnish in origin. So both Paul and Curtis have Finnish blood in their veins. A fact that I'm sure they are well aware of, and indeed proud of. And so they should be. Finland is a great nation. Any country that fights the Russians to a standstill, has to be a great nation.
twodogs
Guest
So did Benji