OF all the former Wests Tigers stars now playing for the Cronulla Sharks, it is centre Blake Ayshford who can boast direct links with the Sutherland Shire.
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Ayshford is the latest in a long line of ex-Tigers to join the Sharks in recent years, joining props Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs, winger Beau Ryan, back rower Chris Heighington and hooker John Morris for the Sharks opening NRL game of the season next Monday night (March 10) against the Gold Coast Titans at Remondis Stadium.
Now 26, Ayshford — an Eastern Suburbs junior with the Paddington Tigers — has returned to the district where he schooled at Endeavour Sports High, and surfed down the road at Cronulla beaches.
He has also reunited with Dave Howlett, his former sports teacher at Endeavour, who is coaching the Sharks junior representative SG Ball (Under 18) team, and many old school friends.
Ayshford was a member of a crack Endeavour schoolboy league outfit — which included former Dragon and now Bulldog player Chase Stanley in a team which went on to win consecutive titles (2005-2006) under Howlett and former Dragon Jeff Hardy, after just missing out on winning in 2004.
"I have fond memories of the shire and the friends I met here," he said. "I really enjoyed my time in the shire and at school, so when the chance came up to play under coach Shane Flanagan and join the other former Tigers here, I jumped at it," he said.
"I've built up to 100 kilograms and feel the best for it," he said.
"I think once we get our injured players back playing together, the Sharks will show they are a definite premiership threat."
Ayshford points to skipper Paul Gallen, Todd Carney, Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington having not played any trials, with international Luke Lewis and Anthony Tupou still recovering from surgeries.
"I've joined a really strong roster here, so our best will come when we're all back together."
Before Carney came off in the first NRL trial with a minor hamstring injury, Ayshford had started to form a strong combination with five-eighth Todd Carney, who is hoping to be fit for the first NRL game.
After last week's 28-22 loss to the Tigers, Ayshford knows the pressure is on to hold his spot. "Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele and me will be battling it out for the centre spots and the competition will be hot each week."
■ The Sharks begin their 2014 season campaign next Monday night (March 10) against Gold Coast Titans at Remondis Stadium, Cronulla.
