Curtis Sironen

Curtis Sironen is an Australian professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the Australian NRL competition. He plays as a five-eighth and lock. He previously played for the Wests Tigers from 2012 to 2016. He is the son of Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen.

Early years

Sironen played his junior football with the Dundas Shamrocks. A student at Holy Cross College Ryde, Sironen captained the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges to victory in the Australian Schoolboys tournament in 2011. He represented New South Wales at an under-18 level, and played for the Australian Schoolboys side in 2011, while playing for Wests Tigers NYC team. Undergoing shoulder surgery after completing his HSC, Sironen rejoined the NYC team in round 9.

Playing career

With Robert Lui leaving the club at the end of 2011, Sironen was considered a possible replacement for the Wests Tigers halfback, along with players Jacob Miller, Tim Moltzen, and Tom Humble. Moltzen started the season at halfback, but a number of players filled the position before Benji Marshall moved from five-eighth. Sironen was 18 years old when he made his debut from the bench against the North Queensland Cowboys midway through the 2012 NRL season. The next week he made his first appearance in the starting side, playing at five-eighth and scoring a try. Coach Tim Sheens said of him, "I've been trying to hide him as long as I can. There's no doubt he's a first grader." Sironen is the first son of a former Balmain or Wests player to get a run for Wests Tigers.

Having established himself as the team five-eighth outside Benji Marshall, Sironen had played 6 games when he was injured. Coach Tim Sheens said, "Young Curtis will be out for the season and we're pretty sure he'll need another reconstruction. When you throw your arm out like he did and the guy's going in another direction, even with a good shoulder you can suffer a dislocation." Despite playing just 6 games for the year, he was named the club's joint Rookie of the Year.

Returning from injury in round 6 of 2013, Sironen was initially chosen in the halves. After only one game, Sironen was a late selection (after Josh Reynolds withdrew) to play for City in the annual City vs Country Origin match. He was the third least experienced player to ever appear in the match. Later in the season, Braith Anasta was moved to five-eighth and Sironen played in the second-row. In the last 4 games of the year, Sironen scored a try in 3 games.

After an injury-hampered 2014, where he was limited to 13 games, Sironen underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season. He played in the first 11 rounds of 2015 before undergoing neck surgery. Returning to first grade in July, he made 19 appearances for the season. Mostly playing in the second row, he was on the field for a full 80 minutes in 15 games.

Sironen played the opening two games of the season in the second row, before missing three with injury. Soon after his return, he was chosen in the City side for the third time. Sironen said, "As someone who wants State of Origin honours in the future this is one of the stepping stones. Earlier this season I had a hamstring niggle. I've just been trying to get my body healthy and play for the Tigers, I'm just worrying about that before anything else. If I can put all the drama aside I'll be able to one day achieve the goals I've set myself."

In November 2016 it was reported that Sironen would opt out of his contract so he could join the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for 2 seasons starting in 2017.