Premiership-winning playmaker Scott Prince says prized Raiders recruit Aidan Sezer is ready to take his game to the next level after serving his rugby league apprenticeship.
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Sezer will make his much-anticipated Raiders debut in Saturday's NRL season opener against the Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium.
Sezer arrives in Canberra with high expectations after displaying an astute kicking game in his first four seasons and 71 games with the Gold Coast Titans.
"Like my old coach Tim Sheens [at the Tigers] used to say, you're not really a first grader until you play 100 first-grade games," Prince said.
"Aidan's played four or five years so he knows what's required to play first grade week in and week out.
"He understands the mental application. It can be a bit of a grind.
"He's served his apprenticeship and it's time to lift his game to another level."
Sezer played his first 18 games in the halves alongside Prince before the former Kangaroos and Queensland representative finished his illustrious career at the Broncos.
"The one thing that really stood out for me was his composure under pressure," Prince said.
"His work ethic is second to none and, in terms of the game itself, his kicking game is one of the best.
"That's the beauty about Aidan, he's coachable, a great teammate and a great bloke."
Sezer joined the Titans in 2012 chasing an opportunity in first grade after coming through the ranks with the Bulldogs.
He was groomed to be the key playmaker at the Titans and Prince took on the role of mentor.
"I made it my job to take him under the wing and show him the ropes and get him up to speed on where things were at," Prince said.
"The one thing about Aidan is he loves rugby league, and he would do anything and everything to reach his potential in the game of rugby league.
"That's half the battle, having someone who doesn't just want to play first grade, but wants to be the best he can be as a footballer and win a premiership."
Sezer said the departure of Prince to the Broncos forced him to take on greater responsibility as the senior playmaker in the side.
"I was only a young fella but, in the position you are, you can't be too naive, you have to do your job when you're playing in the NRL," Sezer said.
"When Princey left, I was still learning the game, I was only 18 games in.
"It did fast-track my development, I had to grow up a lot more.
"I have a lot of respect for Princey and he really helped me out my first couple of years."
Sezer had a revolving door of halves partners at the Titans, but will have the stability of playing alongside Austin for the next three years.
He also will be able to build a dynamic combination with fullback Jack Wighton and hooker Josh Hodgson, all four players signed until 2018.
Sezer also has the benefit of playing under a former No.7 in Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
"As a halfback, you can work on the same wavelength," Prince said.
"I was coached by him at representative level and he helped my game as well, just individual stuff I could work on.
"The one thing Aidan needs to focus on is being consistent week in and week out leading that Raiders side around.
"If he stays injury free, he'll do some wonderful things in Canberra."
SATURDAY: NRL round one: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium, 3pm.
