SHARKS SIGN BRETT SEYMOUR
Tuesday 12 Sep 2006 10:42
by (Press Release)
Source:
www.sharks.com.au
The Sharks have signed former Bronco Brett Seymour to a two-year contract.
The 21-year-old Seymour, a former junior Kangaroo who originally hails from Mackay in North Queensland, is being brought to the Sharks to add to the club's depth in the half, five eighth and hooker positions.
In looking towards the future with the signing of Seymour, Sharks CEO Greg Pierce was confident he had acquired a player of promise.
"Brett is a young player with a lot of talent," Pierce said. "Along with Brett Kearney, we now have two players to build our teams around in the future and who next year will complement the experience of Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes."
Seymour made his NRL debut for the Broncos as a 17-year-old back in 2002 and since that time has played 62 NRL games, scoring 10 tries and kicking 32 goals. Injuries and an alleged off-field misdemeanor saw him released from the Brisbane club, restricting his appearances to just 13 games this year.
"While the circumstances surrounding his leaving the Broncos were disappointing, in our discussions with Broncos management and coaching staff, they were full of praise for Brett and expressed the belief that the change of environment would be to his benefit. He also realises this is a second chance and a great opportunity for him so he will be keen to impress," Pierce said.
After leaving the Broncos in less-than ideal circumstances, Seymour is appreciative of his chance at the Sharks and ready to give his new club plenty of value.
"Cronulla is a chance for me for a fresh start," Seymour said. "I've moved on, I'm happy, I'm injury free and after meeting the Cronulla coaches I am really looking forward to 2007 with the Sharks."
Sharks coach Stuart Raper had no doubt the addition of the former Bronco would strengthen the Sharks squad.
"As well as giving us plenty of utility value, Brett will put some pressure on for positions in the first grade side," Raper said. "We rate him very highly and he got a good recommendation from the Broncos coaching staff."
Seymour joins the list of new recruits at the Sharks in 2006, which includes Tri Nations train-on squad member Craig Stapleton, Queensland State of Origin centre Josh Hannay, another ex-Bronco in Fraser Anderson, Manly outside back Paul Stephenson, Newcastle utility Dustin Cooper and youngsters Misi Taulapapa and Michael Greenfield.
The entire Sharks squad, including Seymour and their other new buys, will return to the training paddock in early November in preparation for the 2007 season.