Tolman wants more NRL beyond 300 games

Melissa Woods |

Aiden Tolman says he’ll keep putting his hand up as long as he keeps getting picked, with the Cronulla forward not putting a cap on his long NRL career.

The 33-year-old will play his 300th top-grade match on Friday night when the Sharks host Newcastle.

He’s the only current player in the competition to reach the milestone.

Tolman, who lists the Melbourne 2009 grand final victory (although the premiership was stripped for salary cap cheating) as his favourite moment of 299 games, says he’s hungry for more.

Former Sharks captain Paul Gallen clocked off in 2019 on 348 games, aged 38, while his former Storm captain Cameron Smith holds the record with 430.

“If you’re still getting picked week in week out, I think that’s the biggest thing, and while ever I can do that I will keep playing as long as I can,” Tolman said on Monday.

“I feel good and I’m still contributing to the team.

“I’ll know when the time’s up and hopefully it’s a few more years yet.”

Tolman started his career with Melbourne back in 2008 but was forced out three years later due to salary cap pressures, with coach Craig Bellamy reportedly brought to tears when he had to tell the youngster the news.

He then spent 10 seasons with Canterbury before being moved on at the end of 2020 but has provided great value for the Sharks, earning respect for his work ethic.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is yet to make a call on Tolman’s future beyond this season, although said the prop had done an “outstanding job” with the Sharks winning their last two matches.

Tolman expected the Knights, who are also 2-1, to try and spoil celebrations.

“They’ve been one of the form teams to start the competition,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great battle – it’s going to be a physical game – we know what they bring.”

AAP