IT was a bittersweet feeling for Tweed Heads mentor Aaron Zimmerle when Newcastle coach Rick Stone asked if he would release Damian Sironen to the Knights immediately.

Sironen, nephew of Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen, will head south today after signing with the Knights for the rest of the season as he chases an NRL debut.

The 22-year-old prop has been the Seagulls’ acting captain, was their player of the year in 2014 and is in career-best shape following a pre-­season with the Titans.

But delivering players to the NRL is what the Intrust Super Cup is about and Zimmerle knew he had to let Sironen go.

“There’s a real shortage of front-rowers there so it’s a good opportunity for me to push for an NRL game or two this year,” Sironen said.

“I’m disappointed to be leaving but I learnt a lot doing my first NRL pre-season (at the Titans).

“I’ll take away a lot from that and the guys there. I don’t think I would have got this opportunity without having that preseason with the Titans.

“I’ve been punching out ­really good minutes and I’m carrying that weight (108kg) around well.

“They might want me to put a bit more on and going into a full-time system I might be able to do that.”

The loss of Sironen is a major blow for the Seagulls who fell 24-22 to Souths Logan in their Intrust Super Cup clash at Davies Park.

They are facing a challenge to make the finals but Zimmerle said seeing Sironen go on to bigger and better things was a positive.

“He came to us from the FOGS Cup (Easts Tigers) and gone on to be our player of the year, got a pre-season with the Titans and been our acting captain,” he said.

“He’ll take the next step. It’s just a matter of time and doing the extra work by being a full-time player.”

Burleigh will be out for redemption when they host competition leaders Townsville at Pizzey Park on Saturday, especially after not scoring a try in their 24-2 loss to Easts yesterday.

A penalty goal to Khan Ahwang provided the only points the Bears could register against the Tigers as they lost centre Jamie Dowling to a knee injury.

When Burleigh travelled to Townsville earlier this year they walked away on the wrong end of a 78-6 hiding and coach Jim Lenihan said they had to respond to stay in finals contention.

“We probably got a little out-enthused,” he said.

“We grafted away but had just too much possession against us.

“We’ve got to go back, have a look at where we need to ­improve and go again.”