A pragmatic Aidan Sezer says the next few months will determine his future at the Raiders after the talented half lined up for the second week in a row in the Canterbury Cup, with Sam Williams getting the nod in first grade.
Canberra’s brilliant early-season form has made it tough for Sezer to fight his way back into the side after he was forced to miss a few games with an oblique injury.
He’s had to bide his time in the NSW reserve grade competition and has looked a class above, helping Mounties to back-to-back wins over the Warriors and Sea Eagles.
“I’ve just got to take it as education for myself. I’ve never really played reserve grade before but I’m enjoying the boys’ company. It’s not where I want to be, but in time I’ll find out a bit more about my future,” Sezer told Big League.
“Me and Ricky (coach Ricky Stuart) haven’t spoken too much about it. I’m pretty aware of how the boys are going and I understand it’s hard to change a combination that’s been winning us plenty of games. In saying that, I don’t want to be playing reserve grade for the rest of the year so in time we’ll find out to see where I stand.
“That doesn’t mean that I’ve looked elsewhere for another opportunity.”
Sezer signed a two-year extension last season and has again been named on an extended bench for this week’s clash against the Panthers. If he doesn’t make the trip to Wagga Wagga, he’ll line up for ladder-leading Mounties on Sunday to face Penrith at Aubrey Keech Reserve.
The free-flowing nature of the Canterbury Cup has allowed Sezer to play his natural game without fear of failure, and that was evident at Lottoland last Sunday as he controlled the contest with his left boot but also asked plenty of questions with his running game.
His positive approach to the tough situation won’t go unnoticed in the nation’s capital, and he’s only an injury or a couple of losses away from reclaiming the No.7 jersey.
“The pressure’s not there so you can try a few things without worrying about the scrutiny,” he said when asked what it was like to play reserve grade.
“It’s refreshing because it’s a raw brand of footy and I’m really enjoying it. If I wasn’t enjoying my time here at Mounties then the whole experience would be pretty tough.”
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