Tolman to join exclusive group of men

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman will this weekend join an exclusive group of men who have played 200 or more first grade games for the Bulldogs.

Since 1935, there have been only 11 players, from the 799 who have played first grade for the club, to play 200 games or more and on Saturday night Tolman will become the 12th player to reach this significant milestone when he runs out for the Bulldogs during their Round 20 clash with the Penrith Panthers at Bankwest Stadium.

The prop forward joins the likes of Hazem El Masri, Steve Mortimer, Terry Lamb, Chris Anderson and Andrew Ryan who have pulled on the blue and white jersey on more than 200 occasions.

The quiet achiever’s career began in 2008 at the Melbourne Storm, where he notched up 53 games before moving to the Dogs in 2011.

The Kempsey product has since racked up 252 NRL games, including 199 for the Bulldogs.

The 30-year old played his 250th NRL game against the Cronulla Sharks in round 15 with the Bulldogs showing their true fighting spirit to register a 14-12 victory.

Tolman’s game is built on the little things. It is about the one percenters and the minor detail that the fan in the crowd or the supporter on the couch at home may not see and this is his strength.

Since 2016, Tolman has played 82 matches, made 2952 tackles at an average of 36 per game, averaged 15 carries, 124 running metres and 58.9 minutes per match!

He may not be the flashy player or the one that comes up with the brilliant play, but his work ethic and selflessness doesn’t go unnoticed within the walls of the Bulldogs changing room.

“He’s definitely the toughest and the most selfless player I have played alongside. He is certainly very underrated in the NRL, but not here at this club. He is well-valued here and means a lot to the club,” said Canterbury captain Josh Jackson.

Tolman’s a leader. A member of the club’s leadership group and a player the players want to play with. He inspires the next generation and this has been evident throughout his entire career, especially during his nine season with the Bulldogs.

THE 200 CLUB