{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}} {{Infobox rugby league biography | name = Aiden Tolman | image = AIDEN TOLMAN.jpg | imagesize = 290 | caption = | fullname = | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|11|10|df=yes}} | birth_place = Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia | death_date = | height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|102|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} | position = {{rlp|PR}} | club1 = Melbourne Storm | year1start = 2008 | year1end = 10 | appearances1 = 53 | tries1 = 4 | goals1 = 0 | fieldgoals1 = 0 | points1 = 16 | club2 = Canterbury Bulldogs | year2start = 2011 | year2end = 20 | appearances2 = 222 | tries2 = 10 | goals2 = 0 | fieldgoals2 = 0 | points2 = 40 | club3 = Cronulla Sharks | year3start = 2021 | year3end = 22 | appearances3 = 42 | tries3 = 2 | goals3 = 0 | fieldgoals3 = 0 | points3 = 8 | teamA = NSW Country | yearAstart = 2011 | yearAend = 14 | appearancesA = 3 | triesA = 0 | goalsA = 0 | fieldgoalsA = 0 | pointsA = 0 | retired = | source = <ref name="rlp">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/aiden-tolman/summary.html|title=Aiden Tolman – Career Stats & Summary – Rugby League Project|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org}}</ref> | updated = 17 September 2022 }}
'''Aiden Tolman''' (born 10 November 1988) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a {{rlp|pr}} for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. He previously played for the Melbourne Storm and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League, and played at representative level for NSW Country. On 25 August 2022, Tolman announced he was retiring at the end of the season.
==Early life== Tolman was born in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. He was educated at St Paul's College, Kempsey and represented 2006 Australian Schoolboys.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sporting Pulse|title=Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424|access-date=2008-10-10|archive-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131030043/http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has also played for the Junior Kangaroos.<ref name="4 Devils in Junior Kangaroos">{{cite web|url=http://www.northsdevils.com/|title=4 Devils in Junior Kangaroos|publisher=Norths Devils|date=2007-01-01|access-date=2008-04-23| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080508014824/http://www.northsdevils.com/| archive-date= 8 May 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> He played his junior football with the Smithtown Tigers and has also played for the Central Coast Storm and the Queensland Cup side, Norths Devils.<ref name="Player Information">{{cite web|url=http://www.rleague.com/db/player/t/tolman_aiden/index.php|title=Player Information|publisher=RLeague.com|date=2008-04-23|access-date=2008-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503172534/http://www.rleague.com/db/player/t/tolman_aiden/index.php|archive-date=3 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Ashes To Ashes, Dust to Dust">{{cite web|url=http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=2484 |title=Ashes To Ashes, Dust to Dust |publisher=QRL |date=2008-04-23 |access-date=2008-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723051851/http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=2484 |archive-date=23 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ===Melbourne (2008–2010)=== Tolman made his first-grade debut for Melbourne Storm against the Canberra Raiders in round 6 of the 2008 season.<ref name="Docs fear Manu has broken ankle">{{cite web|url=http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=1&ssec=1&pg=1764|title=Docs fear Manu has broken ankle|publisher=Melbourne Storm|date=2008-04-22|access-date=2008-04-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525203615/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=1|archive-date=25 May 2008 }}</ref> He has been compared to former Melbourne Storm player Robbie Kearns.<ref name="Storm player Aiden Tolman rides wave of success">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23583654-11088,00.html|title=Storm player Aiden Tolman rides wave of success|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=2008-04-23|access-date=2008-04-23| first=Dave| last=Donaghy}}</ref> In 2008 he was named the Melbourne Storm rookie of the year.<ref>{{cite web|last=melbournestorm.com.au |title=NRL Honour Board |url=http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=nrl-honour-board |work=Club |publisher=Melbourne Storm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928161940/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=nrl-honour-board |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> He also played in the 2009 premiership against Parramatta, however the premiership was later stripped in 2010 by the NRL due to the club's multiple and deliberate breaches of the salary cap between 2006 and 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/telstrapremiershipscores/tabid/10240/roundid/833/fixtureid/5801/infotabid/3/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003020642/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/telstrapremiershipscores/tabid/10240/roundid/833/fixtureid/5801/infotabid/3/default.aspx |url-status=dead |title=<nowiki>[1]</nowiki>|archive-date=3 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/storm/they-are-ours-why-cameron-smith-will-always-recognise-storms-stripped-premierships/news-story/6397becb6e5091d6804ef91c578c56bd/|title='They are ours': Why Cameron Smith will always recognise Storm's stripped premierships|website=Fox Sports|date=31 July 2019 }}</ref>
===Canterbury-Bankstown (2011–2020)=== On 18 May 2010, Tolman signed for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for three years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/aiden-tolman-signs-with-canterbury-bulldogs/story-e6frexnr-1225868255375 |title=Aiden Tolman signs with Canterbury Bulldogs |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920003732/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/aiden-tolman-signs-with-canterbury-bulldogs/story-e6frexnr-1225868255375 |archive-date=20 September 2012}}</ref> In round one of the 2011 NRL season, he made his debut for the Bulldogs against the West Tigers at ANZ Stadium; he finished the season with 21 appearances and six tries. In 2012, he ended the season with 27 appearances and 3 tries. He achieved the coach's award for the club. Tolman played for Canterbury in the 2012 NRL Grand Final loss against his former club Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NC0xNTMwLTQtLS0tLS03NzM1LS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List – Rugby League Project|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-grand-final-bulldogs-v-storm/news-story/dc20fb09cc31e0f4bdf72fb5febb11a8/|title=Melbourne Storm beat Canterbury Bulldogs in 2012 NRL grand final|publisher=News.com.au}}</ref>
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs re-signed Tolman for a further four years, through until the end of season 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/tolman-resigns-with-bulldogs-on-fouryear-deal-20130502-2iu36.html|title=Tolman re-signs with Bulldogs on four-year deal|date=1 May 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> For the second year in a row, he once again received the coach's award from coach Des Hasler;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2013/10/28/2013-coaches-award-aiden-tolman/|title=2013 Coaches Award: Aiden Tolman|date=28 October 2013|website=Bulldogs.com.au}}</ref> he finished the season with 25 appearances and a try. Tolman played in Canterbury's 2014 NRL Grand Final loss against the South Sydney Rabbitohs; he finished the season with 22 appearances and a try. Because the club qualified for the finals, Tolman played 21 games for Canterbury in the 2015 NRL season. He played in both of Canterbury's finals matches as the club reached the second week but were eliminated by the Sydney Roosters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/sydney-roosters-v-canterbury-bulldogs-live-coverage-of-nrl-semifinal/news-story/8dcbed4277c10fc5ecfeb6337690ad7c/|title=Sydney Roosters v Canterbury Bulldogs: Controversial try fuels massive win for minor premiers|website=Foxsports.com.au|date=18 September 2015}}</ref>
On 6 December 2016, Tolman re-signed with Canterbury which would see him at the club until 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id/18212968/aiden-tolman-inks-three-year-nrl-extension-canterbury-bulldogs |title=Tolman re-signs with Bulldogs |date=6 December 2016 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> On 27 May 2017, he made 51 tackles, 17 hit ups for 148 running meters, and played 80 minutes, in round 12 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Tolman made a total of 24 appearances for Canterbury-Bankstown in the 2017 NRL season as they failed to reach the finals for the first time since 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/09/05/bulldogs-2017-season-review/|title=Bulldogs 2017 season review|website=Nrl.com|date=4 September 2017}}</ref>
In 2018, Tolman made 16 appearances for Canterbury as the club endured one of its toughest seasons on the field. At one stage of the season, Canterbury were sitting second last on the table but rallied to achieve upset victories over the Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors and St George to finish the season in 12th place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/10/canterbury-bulldogs-2018-season-review/|title=Canterbury Bulldogs 2018 season review|website=Nrl.com|date=17 October 2018}}</ref> In round 15, he made his 250th first grade appearance against Cronulla-Sutherland at ANZ Stadium which ended in a 14–12 victory to Canterbury-Bankstown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/30/toughest-ive-ever-played-with-milestone-man-tolman-does-it-his-way-to-250/|title='Toughest I've played with': Tolman does it his way to 250|website=Nrl.com|date=29 June 2019}}</ref> In round 20 against the Penrith Panthers, he played his 200th game for Canterbury – just the 12th Canterbury player to do so – and achieved in inside of nine seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2019/07/31/bulldogs-celebrate-tolmans-200th/|title='Bulldogs celebrate Tolman's 200th'|website=Bulldogs.com.au|date=31 July 2019 }}</ref>
Tolman made a total of 23 appearances for Canterbury in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 12th on the table. At one stage, Canterbury-Bankstown found themselves sitting last on the table and in real danger of finishing with the wooden spoon. However, for the third straight season, Canterbury achieved four upset victories in a row over Penrith, the Wests Tigers, South Sydney and Parramatta who were all competing for a place in the finals series and were higher on the table. Pay was credited with the late season revival as the side focused heavily on defense.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/spoons-of-wood-high-hopes-and-chances-lost-the-final-round-storylines-20190905-p52o87.html/|title=Spoons of wood, high hopes and chances lost... the final round storylines|newspaper=Brisbane Times|date=5 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/09/01/the-dean-pay-way-unashamedly-old-school/|title=The Dean Pay way: 'Unashamedly' old school|website=Nrl.com|date=September 2019}}</ref> In 2020, Tolman made 17 appearances for Canterbury as the club again endured one of its toughest seasons on the field. On 22 September, he was told by Canterbury that his services would not be required in 2021 and that he would be released by the club, making him one of eight players who were told they would be released as Canterbury looked to rebuild after a horror year on and off the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/bulldogs/nrl-2020-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-announce-eight-player-departures-kieran-foran-aiden-tolman-full-list/news-story/67fbadc55112e80ee342e26861bd206d|title=Dogs confirm EIGHT-man clean-out in first glimpse of Barrett era|website=Foxsports.com.au|date=22 September 2020}}</ref>
===Cronulla-Sutherland (2021–2022)=== In November 2020, Tolman signed a deal to join Cronulla-Sutherland for the 2021 NRL season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-2020-news-aiden-tolman-cronulla-sharks-rugby-league/1aci09qjd9xko1i5fjcrs2buer/|title=Cronulla Sharks confirm signing of Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman|website=Sportingnews.com|date=17 November 2020 }}</ref> In round 1 of the season, he made his club debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland in their 32–18 victory over the St. George Illawarra Dragons; he played 45 minutes off the bench, running for 134 meters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores-2021-canberra-raiders-wests-tigers-st-george-illawarra-dragons-cronulla-sharks-start-time-results-news-round-1/bb553079-9ca9-4944-9535-90b303a3c8b3|title=Sharks outlast Red V despite Dufty magic|website=Wwos.nine.com.au|date=14 March 2021 }}</ref> In round 16, Tolman scored his first try for Cronulla-Sutherland during a 26–18 upset loss to the Brisbane Broncos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/06/28/broncos-v-sharks-staggs-finally-available-win-streak-stabilises-line-up/|title=Broncos v Sharks: Staggs, Oates back; Chambers on family duty|date=4 July 2021|website=Nrl.com}}</ref> He played 21 games for Cronulla in the 2021 NRL season which saw the club narrowly miss the finals by finishing 9th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/09/03/storm-secure-minor-premiership-anxious-wait-for-sharks/|title=Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership|website=Nrl.com|date=3 September 2021}}</ref>
In round 4 of the 2022 NRL season, Tolman played his 300th first grade game for Cronulla in an 18–0 victory over the Newcastle Knights. Tolman scored the first try of the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/nrl/story/_/id/33643670/nrl-round-4-cronulla-sharks-delight-aiden-tolman-milestone-newcastle-knights/|title=Cronulla delight in Aiden Tolman's milestone game|date=April 2022 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> On 25 August, Tolman announced he was retiring at the end of the season.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
==Statistics== ===NRL=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;" |- !width=2%|Season !width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2008 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm | 7|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2009 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm | 27|| 3|| 0|| —|| 0|| 12 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2010 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm | 19|| 1|| 0/1|| 0.00%|| 0|| 4 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2011 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 22|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2012 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 27|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2013 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 25|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2014 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 22|| 2|| 0|| —|| 0|| 8 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2015 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 21|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2016 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 25|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2017 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 24|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2018 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 16|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2019 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 23|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2020 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown | 17|| 2|| 0|| —|| 0|| 8 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2021 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} Cronulla-Sutherland | 21|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2022 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} Cronulla-Sutherland | 21|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 |- class="sortbottom" ! colspan=2| Career totals ! 317 ! 16 ! 0/1 ! 0.00% ! 0 ! 64 |}
===City vs Country=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;" |- !width=2%|Season !width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2011 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Country|16}} NSW Country | 1|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 |- style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2013 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Country|16}} NSW Country | 1|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2014 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Country|16}} NSW Country | 1|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 |- class="sortbottom" ! colspan=2| Career totals ! 3 ! 0 ! 0 ! — ! 0 ! 0 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs/aiden-tolman/ Canterbury Bulldogs profile] *[http://thebulldogs.com.au/sportal.php?page=player&id=810 Bulldogs profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405013433/https://thebulldogs.com.au/sportal.php?page=player&id=810 |date=5 April 2018 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080404001158/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=2&ssec=2&pid=154&prid=1&yr=2008 Melbourne Storm profile]
{{Rugby league footballers with 300 NRL games}} {{Melbourne Storm squad - 2009 NRL Grand Final winners}} {{Melbourne Storm - 2010 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tolman, Aiden}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players Category:Melbourne Storm players Category:Country New South Wales Origin rugby league team players Category:Junior Kangaroos players Category:Norths Devils players Category:Rugby league props Category:Rugby league players from Kempsey, New South Wales Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen