NRL: Seymour in good spot

Playmaker Brett Seymour, handed a lifeline by the New Zealand Warriors after his sacking by Cronulla last year, says he couldn't feel better as the new National Rugby League season approaches.

Seymour's contract with the Sharks was terminated because of alcohol-related incidents, three years after similar off-field issues led Brisbane to release him.

He moved across the Tasman in September to rebuild his career and, with new skipper Simon Mannering out injured, got the surprise nod as captain for the Warriors' first trial of the new year against the Sydney Roosters.

Seymour said he was heading into the new campaign -- which starts with the Warriors facing Gold Coast, and Seymour going head-to-head at halfback with Scott Prince, in Robina on March 14 -- with renewed confidence.

"I've left no stone unturned," he said.

"The body feels good. I couldn't be in a better spot at the moment."

Off the field, he was sticking to an alcohol ban and was "just enjoying life".

"I've got things in place that are helping me at the moment," he said.

"You don't need to party to have a good time."

Seymour, 25, is coach Ivan Cleary's first choice for halfback, a problem position at the Warriors since club icon Stacey Jones left the club for the first time in 2005.

Jones' departure last year after a one-season return from retirement created a vacancy to be filled.

"Obviously, I'm happy to get a start," Seymour said.

"I'm at the stage of my career where I'm ready to be the No 1 playmaker and the Warriors is no better place to start it off."

Seymour said the Warriors had enough strike power out wide to put teams away, "so it's just up to me to give them the right ball and provide them with the opportunities".

Like their new No 7, the Warriors collectively are looking to turn over a new leaf, after a year in which they began as one of the titles favourites but ended up well out of playoff contention.

Seymour indicated that the curtain had been pulled down on 2009 and the focus now was on the challenges ahead.

"There's not too much tarnish from last year," he said.

"We're all looking towards the one goal and that's improving.

"It was disappointing for both myself and the team last year and those are things you just want to leave behind and move on."

Meanwhile, Seymour wasn't reading too much into the Warrior's trials record of comfortable wins over the Roosters and North Queensland, and a draw with Manly.

He said the match against Manly, which ended 16-16, was more of dress rehearsal that the others, with the Sea Eagles and the Warriors both fielding strong squads.

"It's good to get them out of the way," he said of the trials.

"We're pretty well fit and rearing to go now, so we're happy in that respect."

- NZPA