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An Elite Pedigree: Meet Bayley Sironen

With a strong pedigree behind him and a change of scenery, Rabbitohs recruit Bayley Sironen could be the Club's surprise packet for 2019.

A number of departures in the squad comes new opportunities, and with no spots in the side guaranteed, you can bet there could very well be some unexpected shake-ups come Round 1.

And with the ability to play in the halves and the back row, Sironen very well could be the man to fill in those positions.

Coming across from the Wests Tigers for the 2019 season, the 21-year old recruit made the jump across town in search of first-grade opportunities in what he believes is a challenging environment.

Bayley Sironen

I'm excited to come over here and make my own name for myself here at Souths

"I was pretty keen to come over," said Bayley.

"I felt like I was going backwards last year, but I spoke to the coaches at Souths and it all sounded like a very professional environment and I was all for that."

The son of Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen, Bayley was born with football in his blood, and many predict he has a big future ahead of him.

Despite leaving the Club his family has been associated with for over 30 years, the talented utility isn't fazed by the pressure of family expectation or transitioning to a new Club with maturity and determination beyond his years.

"Obviously it wasn't a simple decision," he said when talking about leaving his former club.

"But the way footy is now, it doesn't always work out the way you want. But I'm excited to come over here and make my own name for myself here at Souths."

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Playing his junior footy for Holy Cross Rhinos, Bayley played at an elite level through school, playing for the Australian Schoolboys as well as NSW under 18s State of Origin.

Having seen a lot of the talented youngster at a junior level for a number of years, Rabbitohs Pathways and Education Manager Ben Rogers believes Bayley is the type of player that the Club needs.

"I saw plenty in him as a youngster," said Rogers.

"He was an elite junior at Balmain and quickly progressed through the ranks at the Wests Tigers, playing a few years above his age, so he has an elite pedigree," Rogers said.

"What we liked about him is that he's an edge back-rower - a position the Club can always do more with - so for some who can play edge or middle is key for us.

"He's got the skill sets of a half, he played in the halves as a kid at an elite level and played 18s Origin and the Australian Schoolboys, but now he's developed into the body of a back rower but still has the halves skill set."

Ben Rogers

He was an elite junior at Balmain and quickly progressed through the ranks at the Wests Tigers, playing a few years above his age, so he has an elite pedigree

Rabbitohs Football Manager Mark Ellison strongly agrees but also pointed out some other key areas that Bayley brings to the football field.

"One thing that stood out for us is his game awareness," said Ellison.

"The ability to read and understand the game is a key part of the way we play and it fits in well among the other players' abilities."

With a charismatic personality and a strong work ethic, the transition between Clubs has been smooth for Bayley, and with pre-season underway, he has similarly adapted to the culture and intense training regiment of the Club.

Like all of his teammates, Bayley will be fighting for a spot in the side, and if his early progress is anything to go by, Rogers believes he very well could be in the seventeen.

"It's an opportunity that presents itself every day for you to work hard and get the rewards and at the end of the pre-season if you go well in the trials there are NRL spots up for grabs."

"The same applies to Bayley, and he's really making a fist of it."

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