Manly backrower Curtis Sironen is back at Leichhardt after 1063 day wait

After 1063 days, Manly backrower Curtis Sironen will finally retutn to the place he farewelled his legendary father’s playing career as a four-year old - Leichhardt Oval.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Curtis Sironen of the Sea Eagles celebrates scoring a try during the round two NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Parramatta Eels at Lottoland on March 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

He led Balmain on to the field as a four-year-old to celebrate his father Paul’s final game with the Tigers in 1998.

He would tag along with dad to the famous ground at least twice a week to watch him train.

And aged seven, he finally got to play there himself — before returning to the ground, much bigger and older, to chalk up 65 games there with the Wests Tigers.

Curtis Sironen grew up at Leichhardt Oval.

While it’s been 1063 days since Sironen, now firmly established at Manly, played at Leichhardt, the injury-plagued forward heads back down Mary St Saturday night to face the Tigers.

“Leichhardt is unreal,” he says. “It means a lot to me going back there. I have been going and playing there for nearly 20 years.”

A string of injuries and a change of clubs have prevented Sironen from running out on to Leichhardt Oval since April 17, 2016 — when he was a Tiger and lost in a golden-point thriller to the Storm.

Curtis and his brother Bayley joined their father on a lap of honour after his last game.

“I was a Balmain junior and used to go there on the weekends. I was a massive Wests Tigers fan as well when growing up.

“I can remember playing there with the North Ryde Hawks (in 2000) when I was seven and then in junior grand finals.”

For the first time, Sironen will play against the club he left in 2016.

“This is a little milestone for me, too,” he said. “Not many of my teammates are left there but it’s still something I am looking forward to.”

The Wests Tigers and the Manly Sea Eagles are grounded in the roots of suburban footy — with Leichhardt Oval and Brookvale Oval (Lottoland) iconic venues of the game.

These days Sironen’s loyalties are painted in maroon and white.

Sironen will make his return from a knee injury. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

“I’m a Manly player now and that’s something I am proud of as well.

“I have been disappointed watching the Manly boys play the Tigers over the last couple of years, especially last year. We suffered a couple of ugly losses against them, especially at Brookvale (38-12).

Dad Paul will be at the match and as much as he bleeds black and gold, he will be cheering on Curtis — but probably not a Manly victory.

“I’m hoping he will go for me but he has alliances to (Wests Tigers),” Curtis said.

“A lot of my family are cheering for Manly and Souths (where brother Bayley plays) this year. It’s a different dynamic.

“I’m sure he’d want the best for me, especially given it’s my first game back. He knows how much it means to me, knowing the last 12 months have been pretty shithouse.”

Sironen is a key part of Manly’s finals charge. Picture by Brett Costello.

Sironen injured his knee in round four last year and didn’t play for the rest of the season.

Twelve months of rehabilitation have him back on the field.

“I had one of my better seasons in 2017 and got a little injury there, a pec,” he said. “I came back and trained really hard all pre-season.

“I started the season all right, I thought, and was really looking forward to making a name for myself and to play as many games as I could for Manly.

“So to be cut down like that really was heartbreaking.

“It’s been a long 12 months. I have got through the trials and the body feels really good. I know I have put the work in. I feel strong.”

Originally published as Manly backrower Curtis Sironen is back at Leichhardt after 1063 day wait