Panther 455
72 matches [2006-2009]
32 points [8 tries]
Stats: themightypanthers.com/players_aiton-paul.htm
Papua New Guinea born hooker who grew up in Brisbane and was recruited by the Panthers in 2003.
After a couple of seasons as the starting hooker for the St. Marys Penrith Cougars in the NSW Cup, Aiton made his NRL debut against Cronulla at Penrith early in the 2006 season, as starting hooker as a last-minute injury replacement. He would make a further 13 appearances that season, all off the bench, and would be awarded the Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year award at season’s end.
He would continue to be a regular selection in the 17 over the next two seasons, once again chiefly off the bench.
In 2007, he made his Test debut for Papua New Guinea, and would be selected in the 2008 World Cup squad.
With the departure of Luke Priddis at the end of the 2008 season, Aiton would assume the mantle as the number 1 hooker at the Panthers, playing all 24 matches, including 20 as the starting number 9.
It would be his final season at the Panthers, joining the Sharks for the 2010 season. He would play two seasons there, before heading over to England, firstly playing at Wakefield Trinity, and then Leeds and finally the Catalan Dragons, retiring at the end of the 2018 season.
Last updated 3 November 2019
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