Why Seve wants to be the next Jet
BROTHERS junior Marion Seve loves being back in front of a home crowd at North Ipswich Reserve.
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BROTHERS junior Marion Seve loves being back in Ipswich.
The former Wests Tigers centre played one game for the Ipswich Jets last season before being transferred to Souths Logan.
Now back at his old stomping ground, Seve could think of nothing better than playing in front of friends and family at North Ipswich Reserve.
"I feel comfortable here,” Seve said. "It feels like home. I love playing here on a Sunday, there's a good crowd here.
"When I was in Sydney I was missing home. It's been really good to be back around family and I've got a lot of mates that I grew up with that are still in the area.”
Another emerging talent from rugby league nursery school Keebra Park, Seve is hopeful of making an NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos this year.
Until that time comes, the 22-year-old is enjoying his time at Red Hill and the chance to learn from fellow Keebra Park alumni Benji Marshall and Jordan Kahu.
"It's really professional but at the same time they look after you,” he said.
"Every time I leave home I just try to focus on where I'm going. If it's the Broncos that's where my mind is and when it's time to come here to the Jets I try to do the same.”
A damaging centre himself, the former Ipswich junior has been inspired by one Broncos star. Ex-Gold Coast Titan James Roberts is a standout performer on the Broncos training ground and one of the quickest players on the paddock.
"It's a different feeling playing alongside some of the top players in the game every day,” Seve said.
"You learn a lot from them, especially Jimmy Roberts.
"He's just on another level but I try my best to do what he does. He's just explosive in everything he does and it stands out at training.
"Once he gets the ball he goes all out. There's no half-running or anything like that.”
For the club's Defence Force Appreciation Day, it's appropriate that defence will be a key factor in Ipswich's game plan against Townsville.
With former Canberra Raiders cult-hero Shaun Fensom joining the Blackhawks tomorrow, the Jets will come up against a team bursting with NRL experience.
"They are always a tough team and you can't take them lightly,” Seve said.
"I think (Fensom) brings a lot of experience coming down from the NRL to play Queensland Cup. I think he'll bring a lot to the team and that leadership he has.
"Hopefully the game plan is to run at him and wear him out. We'll have to see what happens.”
Returning to his role at centre, Seve said he was looking forward to combining with PNG powerhouse Richard Pandia on the Jets wing.
"Richie is really impressive,” Seve said. "He's got so much energy it's like he is a pocket rocket.
"He's shorter than me but so strong. He's always there in support and I still can't believe how many defenders it takes to pull him down.”
Ipswich Jets v Townsville Blackhawks at North Ipswich Reserve from 12.40pm, tomorrow:
1. Wes Conlon
2. Michael Purcell
3. Marion Seve
4. Nemani Valekapa
5. Richard Pandia
6. Luke Capewell
7. Dane Phillips
8. Billy McConnachie
9. Christopher Ash
10. Nathaniel Neale
11. Samuel Martin
21. Jesse Roberts
22. Tyson Lofipo
14. Mikaere Beattie
15. Sebastian Pandia
17. Mitchell Carpenter
16. Fakahoko Teutau
Co-coaches: Ben Walker and Shane Walker
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