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Aidan Sezer insists teenager Lachlan Galvin doesn’t need him to hold his hand as the Wests Tigers pair prepare to begin life together as starting halves.
Sezer is locked in to start at halfback for the Tigers against Cronulla on Saturday at Leichhardt, after a hamstring niggle prompted him to come off the bench last week.
Once a teenage prodigy himself at Canterbury in the under-20s team of the year, Sezer has been brought to the Tigers to provide leadership and experience.
But he does not believe that will include needing to take pressure off Galvin, who was as impressive as a debut half could be in a 20-point loss to Canberra last week.
“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough in this game. And Lachy wouldn’t be there if he’s not good enough,” Sezer said.
“I don’t think he needs me to hold his hand.
“I’ll just do my job and focus on that. And if I’m doing that, well it’ll be beneficial for him, to free him up. I just worry about my own job.
“That’s the biggest attribute of a leader, doing your own job.
“I don’t think about my influence on him. I just do what I need to do and hopefully that’s a positive influence.”
Sezer’s move to No.7 has left Jayden Sullivan on the bench, after the starting half was hooked mid-match by Benji Marshall following a poor outing against Canberra last week.
Marshall agreed Sezer did not need to consciously lift any pressure from Galvin, but appears confident the Tigers are a better team with the former Raider starting.
“We just thought it was best for the team this week,” Marshall said on Friday.
“We like Aidan’s leadership and what he brings on the field. A fully fit Aidan Sezer as well, that helps.”
Saturday’s match comes as doubt again looms over the future of Leichhardt Oval, with fears the Tigers could soon be forced out of the venue if it is not upgraded.
It is not the first time such concerns have been expressed over the suburban ground, where a railing collapsed during a school rugby game in 2022.
“Leichhardt has a great meaning to a lot of us,” Marshall said.
“Especially the ones who have been around since day dot. We love playing here.
“We love having our home games here and hopefully we can find some money to fix it up.”
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