Cronulla’s Tolman bins retirement talk

Margie McDonald | April 2, 2022

Cronulla frontrower Aiden Tolman doesn’t see a need to think about retirement just because he’s played his 300th NRL game.

The hard-working prop celebrated the milestone on Friday night with a try in the 18-0 win over Newcastle, and almost immediately started thinking of what’s ahead.

“The body is feeling really good. I’m not done yet,” the 33-year-old said.

Tolman left the Bulldogs at the end of 2020 and has so far signed two one-year deals to play with the Sharks.

He’s more than up for a third in 2023.

“Being off contract there’s always a chance that you’re not going to play again,” Tolman said.

“I was talking to Fitzy behind the scenes and I know my role within this team.

“We’ll see where it goes. It’s not the end because it’s the 300th game. It’s only round four.

“I’ve been told a lot lately to never give it away because other people think you should. My mind and body feel right so I’ll keep playing as long as I can.”

It all started back in round six 2008 when Melbourne gave him his debut, but after three seasons (2008-10) he left as part of the Storm’s purge following the salary-cap rorts.

He signed with Canterbury and played nine years there earning three NSW Country rep jerseys.

“The three clubs I’ve been at are all different and suited the time I was at in my career,” he said.

“When I went to Melbourne as an 18-year-old kid straight out of school … if I didn’t go to Storm I don’t think I’d be here today.

“They taught me what it was like to be a first grader. They laid the foundation for me.

“I work hard, that’s what I do, I’m not the flashiest player and I know that. I know what my strengths are. They taught me to work hard and fight for everything.”

At Canterbury, he said, he started his family and played 222 games before being without a contract.

“Then COVID hit but I got the chance to come here and I really love the style of footy the Sharks play. The energy and enthusiasm of this young group is infectious.”