Paul Sironen

Paul Sironen grew up in Ryde and played his junior rep football with the Balmain Tigers. Some years later, Sirro would become the Balmain Tigers longest serving player in terms of first grade matches.

Along the way to game number 246, Paul Sironen did almost everything. His rugby league career was interrupted by a stint in Hawaii where he would try his hand at gridiron. However, rugby league was in his blood and upon returning to Leichhardt, Sirro began a brilliant career in senior football that would see him play for his beloved Tigers, his state and his country.

Sirro represented City Origin on 7 occasions, New South Wales on 14 occasions and Australia on 49 occasions that encompassed 21 tests between 1986 and 1994.

In 1986, Paul Sironen was awarded Dally M Rookie of the Year and NSW Rugby League Writers Discovery of the Year. In that same year Sirro would go on a Kangaroo Tour, the first of three he attend. Only three other forwards have achieved this goal.

In 1988, the Balmain Tigers fought through a series of five sudden death matches to make the Grand Final. Unfortunately, the Tigers were beaten by the Canterbury Bulldogs in a memorable and controversial clash. However, in the hearts of all Balmain supporters, 1988 will remain a great year for the Tigers. Ellery Hanley was the boom English import that ignited the league and the Tigers were the fighting underdogs that would never give up. Sirro also scored a memorable try in the Grand Final of 1988.

In 1989, there were more tears for Sirro, his team-mates and Tiger fans all over the country. In what is still regarded as the greatest Grand Final of all by many, the Tigers were defeated by a gallant Canberra Raiders side in extra time. Again controversy and drama surrounded the game, which was played at a frantic pace for its time. Sirro and Blocker were rested late in the game and Sirro was forced to watch from the sideline as his team was over-run by the Raiders.

The 1990’s saw the retirement of many of Sirro's team-mates and the Tigers looked to rebuild the side and fill the void left by such legends. Sirro was offered lucrative contracts at other clubs but in the tradition that was the Tiger legends of the 1980’s Sirro remained a one club man until his retirement in 1998.

With only 2 games left in the 1998 season, Paul Sironen surpassed Garry Jack's record of most first grade games for the Tigers. It was a fitting prelude to his pending retirement and the club celebrated long and hard after his last match at Leichhardt Oval against Freddy Fittler's Sydney City Roosters. The Tigers were thumped by a classy Roosters outfit, but a healthy crowd of 15,000 braved the rain to salute a true Tiger legend and witness his lap of honour, his first and last goal kick and his farewell speech.

When describing Paul Sironen many words come to mind. Loyalty, strength, inspiration and leadership lead the long the list. Bullocking charges, big hits and Lowes commercials are not far behind. Sirro was the face of the Tigers after Junior's retirement and his sense of humour, personality and unwavering loyalty and Tiger spirit made him a fine representative of the club.

Below are a few quotes from Sirro's book, "Sirro! Tales from Tiger Town."

Steve Roach: "I'm mad about the bloke"

Wayne Pearce: "Strong team spirit means a lot to him and from a team-mates perspective he's very important because he knows how to make the players laugh."

Andrew Ettingshausen: "Sirro's standing in the game is such that most players think of him with a tremendous amount of respect. And that isn't derived from him simply being a funny bloke or a guy who plays football well - it comes from his being seen as a good man with a good heart."

This tribute was compiled by Anthony Sinclair.

Research was obtained from "Sirro! Tales from Tiger Town" by Paul Sironen and Daniel Lane. 1997. ABC Books. The book is available at the Tiger Shop and is a great read.