CORY ASTON has revealed the ‘low points’ which have engulfed the last two years of his career as he waited to make his Super League debut, which he finally achieved last Thursday night.
Aston made a try-scoring debut for Castleford as the Tigers beat Wakefield 28-26 to solidify third position in the table heading into Monday’s trip to Catalans.
However, the 24-year-old’s debut was arguably the big talking point afterwards. Having failed to make a first-team appearance for Leeds in 2017, and Castleford last year, Aston told League Express he had begun to wonder if he would ever be given a chance.
“I’ll be honest, there were times I wondered if that chance would ever come my way,” he said. “There have been some tough days, and some tough conversations, as well as some low points for me. I wouldn’t say I nearly gave up, but I certainly wondered if anyone was going to throw me in. The opportunity has come my way now and I can’t thank Daryl enough, but it’s certainly been a tough two-and-a-half years.”
Aston also admitted that his route to the top, having played over 100 games in the Championship for the likes of Sheffield and Bradford before his Super League debut, has also strengthened his resolve.
He said: “I can close one door now having finally made my debut, but it’s the start of another challenge for me now to show I can hold down a place in this team.
“It’s been tough, but the Championship really does make players. It’s a brutally tough competition but you’ve seen the players who have come through that level, and having played 100 games there I think it’s toughened me up and given me the platform to build from. I am actually proud of doing it this way.”
He continued: “It was a very special evening, and made all the more special by the fact we hung on to win at the end.
“I don’t usually get nervous, to be honest. I was more nervous for training through the week, to make sure I was doing the right things. When I did that, it gave me confidence and belief that I could go out there and do it, which I’ve always felt I can do deep down.
“I’ve played a lot of rugby in the Championship and been waiting for that chance, and it’s fantastic to get that opportunity in such a big game like a local derby.”
