Sironen heads off issue
connor.o’brien@news.com.au brain is your ability to live,” he told the Bulletin.
“A head injury is something that is pretty serious and it is something that is pretty close to home for me as well.
“My partner and her brother and her mother have all had sort of brain injuries and brain trauma over the past couple of years so I know how serious it can be.”
Sironen’s partner is Kirby Wright, the sister of World Surf League stars Owen and Tyler Wright.
Owen’s story is well documented. He suffered a brain injury while surfing at Hawaii’s famed Pipeline in December 2015, yet managed an extraordinary recovery to win the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast this year.
For Kirby, it was a freak soccer accident that had lasting ramifications in the form of severe post-concussion syndrome.
“She actually got hit and fell back and whiplashed her head back on to the ground,” Sironen said.
“That put her out of action for nearly 12 months of ability to work, not feeling right and those sorts of things.
“So I have got my head around what it’s like to go through those things and it is not something that I want to put myself through or put her through either.”
Other than headaches, Sironen did not feel any aftereffects from his run of concussions and has been cleared of damage.
“Nothing that has flagged any concerns from the doctors,” the 24-year-old said.
“I had scans to double check everything but everything seems to be still working as normal.”
Nonetheless he is no certainty to even return for the following round, played in 10 days time, against Easts – a decision that will again be left to medical staff.
It’s the latest obstacle in Sironen’s year, having missed the entire pre-season while recovering from shoulder surgery, then suffering a severe cork against Souths Logan and overall being part of a squad struggling to compete.
It’s this adversity that he says will build character among the playing group.
In more bad news for Tweed Heads, fullback Talor Walters will need surgery on his ankle, meaning he will be sidelined for at least three months.
Titans under-20s graduate Brayden McGrady has been named at fullback in his place for their meeting with the Northern Pride on Saturday night at Barlow Park, Cairns.