NRL: Curtis Sironen says mate Luke Brooks can step up

Curtis Sironen has backed Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks to successfully navigate the hype he has faced or what he will continue to face. And Sironen would know what's involved, being another Tiger to emerge with pressure on young shoulders.

When Sironen debuted in 2012, he not only had the potential, but the famous surname. Now 20, he is growing in experience and in stature. He has no doubts Brooks will do similarly.

Big year ahead: Luke Brooks.Credit: Getty Images

"It's all eyes on him for that first couple of games,'' Sironen said of Brooks, who played just one match last year.

'''Brooksy' is that sort of kid - you can throw him in the deep end and he will back himself. We will back him by being his teammates. I think he will handle it. We will help him. Hopefully he's there from round one. I am sure he will be if he is fit and healthy.''

Sironen has also known Brooks for some time, having played with him as a schoolboy, at Holy Cross Ryde. Sironen was in the year above Brooks and the club's other prodigious talent, five-eighth Mitchell Moses.

''If we could play first grade together it would be unreal,'' Sironen said.

While Brooks has already been earmarked as the Tigers' halfback in round one, it is likely that the now bigger and stronger Sironen - who played in a slightly ill-fitting No.7 jersey at times last season - will shift into the back row. Braith Anasta is likely to start the year at five-eighth, although he will have Moses pressuring him.

Of Moses, Sironen said: ''He's a freaky little bastard. I think he's put on five or more kilos. Mitch is that aggressive. It's not like he is a spot in defence. He rips in.

''I don't think they would throw them both in at the start of the season. But I would like to think they would both get a taste. They deserve it.''

Brooks has already attracted comparisons with Immortal Andrew Johns. Another Immortal, Bob Fulton, last year said Sironen was a future Australian five-eighth. ''You're always going to get those comparisons, but you're never going to be the same player,'' Sironen said. ''All we can do is go out there and just do our best. I don't think we can do much more.''

Sironen is likely to be one of the Tigers' key men, as they look to put aside the disappointments of last year and the departure of Benji Marshall.

''Everyone knows we were hit hard with injury, and a few boys were out of form and things like that,'' Sironen said of last year. ''We've got another year with Mick [Potter], and we've had another off-season. We've worked really hard. We'll forget last year. It's a fresh start.''

He said Marshall's absence meant more opportunities.