Wests Tigers Coach Mick Potter and Captain Robbie Farah are not expecting any miracles from new five-eighth Curtis Sironen against St George-Illawarra Dragons on Sunday.
With Liam Fulton out with a calf injury, Potter has called up Sironen to replace the inured Benji Marshall in his long awaited return to the NRL at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sironen showed plenty of promise and was in good from until a shoulder injury in Townsville in round 20 last season ended his year after six first grade apperances.
Potter admitted he would have preferred to given Sironen a few more games in NYC or State Cup before returning the NRL had Marshall not been injured against Melbourne last Monday night.
Opportunities present themselves in different ways and sometimes you get backed into a corner. It could be good for Curtis and could be good for the team, Potter said.
Curtis has had a steady build up after such a serious shoulder injury. His last hit out was solid. I think stepping up to first grade would be another thing for him but having the players he is going to have around him is going to make him a better player.
He was always going to be a player of the future (before his injury) and his time to step up is on Sunday. He will give a good account of himself.
Im not expecting miracles but he is a good solid player. Curtis has good skills and he is going to do a good job.
Farah said supporters needto be patient as it would take Sironen some time to find his feet again after three games back in the NYC.
With every game, he has improved and his match fitness has improved. We are excited to have him back in first grade, Farah said.
He has got a big role coming into the halves with Benji missing but he is a strong character. Curtis is a very big talker who doesnt shy away from his responsibilities.
We are confident he can do a good job for us without setting the world on fire. We are hoping he does but we are not expecting too much.
Farah said Sironen would benefit by having the experienced Braith Anasta partnering him in the halves.
I thought with Braiths talk and his direction, we looked a lot better in the halves against Melbourne. Braith will continue to get better with every game, Farah said.
I know he is looking forward to taking more of a role this week with Benji missing and making sure he gets us around the park well.
Wests Tigers and St George-Illawarra will also play for the Men of League Cup tomorrow with the match celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Grand Final between Western Suburbs and St George.
With construction work still being completed at the SCG, the revised ground capacity is 34,000.
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With Liam Fulton out with a calf injury, Potter has called up Sironen to replace the inured Benji Marshall in his long awaited return to the NRL at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sironen showed plenty of promise and was in good from until a shoulder injury in Townsville in round 20 last season ended his year after six first grade apperances.
Potter admitted he would have preferred to given Sironen a few more games in NYC or State Cup before returning the NRL had Marshall not been injured against Melbourne last Monday night.
Opportunities present themselves in different ways and sometimes you get backed into a corner. It could be good for Curtis and could be good for the team, Potter said.
Curtis has had a steady build up after such a serious shoulder injury. His last hit out was solid. I think stepping up to first grade would be another thing for him but having the players he is going to have around him is going to make him a better player.
He was always going to be a player of the future (before his injury) and his time to step up is on Sunday. He will give a good account of himself.
Im not expecting miracles but he is a good solid player. Curtis has good skills and he is going to do a good job.
Farah said supporters needto be patient as it would take Sironen some time to find his feet again after three games back in the NYC.
With every game, he has improved and his match fitness has improved. We are excited to have him back in first grade, Farah said.
He has got a big role coming into the halves with Benji missing but he is a strong character. Curtis is a very big talker who doesnt shy away from his responsibilities.
We are confident he can do a good job for us without setting the world on fire. We are hoping he does but we are not expecting too much.
Farah said Sironen would benefit by having the experienced Braith Anasta partnering him in the halves.
I thought with Braiths talk and his direction, we looked a lot better in the halves against Melbourne. Braith will continue to get better with every game, Farah said.
I know he is looking forward to taking more of a role this week with Benji missing and making sure he gets us around the park well.
Wests Tigers and St George-Illawarra will also play for the Men of League Cup tomorrow with the match celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Grand Final between Western Suburbs and St George.
With construction work still being completed at the SCG, the revised ground capacity is 34,000.
BUY TICKETS TO DRAGONS GAME
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
PRE-ORDER YOUR HERITAGE JERSEY
ORDER YOUR HERITAGE FOOTBALL
