JAY Aston is unlikely to need much time to acclimatise ahead of Northern Pride pre-season training next week.
Aston, a former Brisbane Norths Queensland Cup and Melbourne under-20 player, is probably finding conditions in the Far North mild after spending the past month in Papua New Guinea where he helped the Kumuls to a Pacific Cup win.
The Kumuls’ 42-14 win against the Cook Islands in the Pacific Cup final handed them a place in next year’s Four Nations tournament against Australia, New Zealand and England.
And hooker Aston is determined to take his place in the line-up, with a good year on the field for the Pride likely to help his cause.
"It’s something that’s going to help the country as well as all the players and I’m looking forward to the Four Nations next year now," said Aston, who gained eligibility for the Kumuls through his father, who was born in Papua New Guinea.
"I made my debut against Australia in the World Cup last year, so it’ll be good to play against them again next year if I get the chance."
Aston was lured to the Pride by its strong coaching staff and training program and while there has been a change at the helm, it has not affected the 21-year-old’s desire to advance his career in the Far North.
"I heard the Pride had a really good coaching program and a fulltime program up here and I just felt it was a better opportunity for my career up here," Aston said.
"There was (an offer to play with Norths again) but I just
decided in the end where my best opportunity was, I was going to go.
"And I feel like it’s here."
While Aston negotiated the move with former coach Andrew Dunemann, David Maiden is now at the helm and Aston met his new mentor for the first time yesterday.
"I wouldn’t say (it made it) tough," Aston said of the changing of the guard after Dunemann linked with NRL club Newcastle.
"I was a little bit nervous because the first time I met David was today but everything’s good now."
The Pride’s feeder relationship with the North Queensland Cowboys made the club an attractive option for Aston, who played in the National Youth Competition for Melbourne under former Cairns Brothers coach Brad Arthur in 2008.
"Of course I’d love to get a contract with an NRL club but it all starts with playing good for a
Q Cup club first," he said.
Aston provides Maiden with a solid option at hooker, a position in which the Pride has struggled for consistency in its first two seasons.
Mareeba product Jason Roos has held the jersey for much of the first two seasons, although the club has tested others in the role.
Aston said he received no guarantee of a starting role and was satisfied to work for his place.
