PENRITH Panthers great Ryan Girdler is tipping Bathurst product Harry Siejka to earn more time in the NRL’s top flight in season 2012.
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Girdler was in Orange last week to promote his range of coffee beans in Coles and offered his opinion of emerging Panthers talent Siejka, who got his first taste of NRL this season.
“I think he’s got great potential,” the former Australian player said of Siejka.
“He got a couple of games in last year [2011] and showed he’s a quality player. They’ve only really got Luke Walsh and Travis Burns in the halves. I’m sure Harry will be pushing those guys for a spot in the side this year and obviously injuries come about, so I think he’s going to have a really busy year and spend a lot of time in first grade, which will be great for his experience and hold him in good stead for the future.”
Young talents like five-eighth Siejka could be important for Penrith during the 2012 NRL season after the loss of some experienced players like Petero Civoniceva and Trent Waterhouse.
Girdler thinks 2012 could be a building year for Penrith, but hopes after that they will become a force in the competition.
The future is still bright for the Panthers.
Despite having a hugely successful playing career, which came to a close at the end of 2004 after 227 top grade games, Girdler has no plans to take up coaching.
“I just love what I’m doing. I was so lucky to come out of footy, which I loved, and then fall into something that I’m just so passionate about. My hair’s growing grey enough – I don’t need to coach,” he laughed.
As well as predicting a bright future for Siejka, he tipped another Central West product – James Maloney – to be in contention for State of Origin honours this year.
Girdler played eight State of Origin games for NSW and a further two in the Super League equivalent.
The 39-year-old said Orange-raised Maloney has what it takes to pull on the Blues jersey.
“The last couple of years he’s been outstanding for the Warriors, great goal-kicker, fantastic hole-runner, support play and defender,” Girdler said.
“I think if Todd Carney doesn’t get it together this year, I hope they play Maloney as NSW five-eighth. I think he should have been there this year to be honest. State Of Origin is a different kind of game and he’s got all the qualities to handle that. He’s a big game player, he tough, he’s got a really consistent kicking game.”
Maloney’s contract with the Warriors finishes at the end of the 2012 NRL season and Girdler had hoped he would move to western Sydney.
Instead the five-eighth will join the Roosters in 2013.
