Player Aidan Kirk

[warriors4life_old]

Aidan Kirk

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From sportal.co.nz

New Zealand Warriors rookie Grant Rovelli was in a similar situation to his club's latest acquisition, Aidan Kirk, this time last year.

The young halfback, who starred in the Sydney Roosters' premier league side throughout 2004 and 2005, had failed to break-through into the first-grade when he was approached by the Warriors.

Rovelli joined the New Zealand club in November last year and he immediately impressed during the off-season and in the Warriors' pre-season trial matches.

The 22-year-old has since made his first-grade debut in 2006 and from there hasn't looked back, securing the coveted starting halfback role in the process.


Rovelli, speaking after the Warriors revealed that they had signed Roosters premier league utility back Kirk on Tuesday, said playing in New Zealand would be a tremendous opportunity for the young Australian.

"I played with him when we won the grand final in 2004 and last year," he said.

"It's a positive for Aidan and it will give him a chance to play first-grade.

"He's only young and he's a good player with a lot of potential."

While quick to praise his former teammate, Rovelli also highlighted that Kirk's future would now rest solely in his own hands.

"It's going to be up to him how he goes in the off-season. That was a similar situation to me. I wasn't really guaranteed anything it was just based on how I went in the trial games," said Rovelli.

"Luckily for me I played well.

"There's definitely a chance there for him it is just how he wants to take it."

 

[warriors4life_old]

Let's hope Kirk takes his opportunities like Rovelli has and become a great player for the club.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Ravs makes a very important point in all that. Something all rookies should learn. No matter where you play or who you are playing for don't think you have it easy, don't think things are going to be given to you on a plate. You have to work for it.
And like he said, he wasn't garenteed anything, if he wanted to play at halfback he ws going to have to prove he could and he has so far and is still going well. I definitely wish Kirk all the best in his new quest later in year.

I wish a certain some one...ie Roptai learnt that. Damn it.
Just look at how Ravs has gone. He's improving in his game since he started and for mind Ropati's gone backwards

 

[warriors_ballboy_CEO_old]

Former Rooster facing long road to recovery
Friday, October 13, 2006


Warriors bound fullback Aidan Kirk had a strong season in 2006 carving up the competition for the Jets.

Unfortunately Kirk’s year came to a shattering end when the classy number 1 damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in the Premier League Grand Final.

After such a big season it was a devastating way to end his career with the Roosters.

Kirk has since had a total knee reconstruction and will be on crutches for the next 4 to 6 weeks. He will be able to perform exercise based rehab and pool work over that time and it is hoped Kirk will be close to 100% in 3 to 4 months time.

The Sydney Roosters wish Kirk all the best in his recovery and for the 2007 season in which he will link with the New Zealand Warriors.
______________________________

Hopfully that answer's when he would be back.... Quite a shame really that this happened to him, How old is he again? hopfully he can play in the Under 20comp the warriors have next year when he get back to full contact

 

[Wiki_old]

Doesn't say that he won't be fit for the opening game.

He'll be fine and damn, we could have a nice contest at the back going on.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Lucky that the injury occurred at the end of the season, and not at the start.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Ouch! sounds mightly painful but all the best in his recovery for sure.

 

[blez_old]

Looking forward to watching this fellow play. I have a sneaky suspicion he will be our starting fullback come August next year.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Looking forward to watching this fellow play. I have a sneaky suspicion he will be our starting fullback come August next year.

Because he'll play better than McKinnon or because McKinnon will be injured?

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Alot of people have something against McKinnon it seems :S I don't get it.

 

[Jesbass_old]

Alot of people have something against McKinnon it seems :S I don't get it.

I think it has something to do with him taking Brent Webb's place.

 

[Jesbass_old]

Doesn't say that he won't be fit for the opening game.

He'll be fine and damn, we could have a nice contest at the back going on.

Kirk had surgery earlier this month after injuring his knee in the Premier League grand final on October 1. He isn’t likely to be available for selection until round six of the NRL minor premiership next year.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Alot of people have something against McKinnon it seems :S I don't get it.

I think it has something to do with him taking Brent Webb's place.

I wasn't exactly happy go lucky about that decisiion myself but it's done and dusted, nothing can be done. No use crying over spilt milk.
And now I wonder why give him the brush of and yabble dabble on Kirk then? It's just confusing

 

[waipiro_old]

Just after some opinions on how has he looked coming back from injury.........pace, attacking skill, defense?

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Yeh I'm curious as well...anyone?

 

[blain91_old]

good, dangerous. he's been moved to the centres because of locke, who will be the next kiwis fb. he has got the pace and step to be a good first grader. its just he hasnt had the chance.

 

[STRIDER_old]

He looks and plays exactly like the past great canberra raiders fullback Clinton Schikofski. Im worried about his lack of size but he certainly isnt a bad player. Its going to be bloody hard for him to get a shot with the warriors next year unless injuries hit.

 

[sebastian_old]

He looks and plays exactly like the past great canberra raiders fullback Clinton Schikofski. Im worried about his lack of size but he certainly isnt a bad player. Its going to be bloody hard for him to get a shot with the warriors next year unless injuries hit.

I'm sure Aiden will get a go next year the run of injuries(touch wood) we've had this year is FREAKISH. I watched him play for Newtown last year, this kid has skill & pace, size is all mental, just look at I. Luke at the Bunnies, he's small frame doesn't stop him in defense. It must be said full credit to the rehab staff at the Warriors for the players welfare but i'd be stunned if we had the same good fortune next year. I'm sure we'll see a lot more Lions players will get the call up next year.

 

[auck06_old]

did not really do a lot but to get back playing was the main thing im happy with that.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=10497558


Aidan Kirk was under the tutelage of Warriors coach Ivan Cleary at the Roosters before the pair teamed up in Auckland.
There is no one who knows better than Cleary as to whether Kirk, who turns 22 on Sunday, has the goods to make it in the NRL when he steps out as Wade McKinnon's replacement at fullback to make his debut against the Storm in Melbourne on Monday.
Cleary yesterday named Kirk ahead of the other two who trialled in the No 1 jersey in pre-season, Patrick Ah Van who gets the left wing and Lance Hohaia who is a bench utility.
At 1.81m and 90kg Kirk is similar in frame to McKinnon, 1.83m and 91kg, and appears as fast in training. What he doesn't have is McKinnon's 99 NRL games, nor his understanding of when to come in to take the off-loads from the Warriors forwards or halves Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt.
Kirk was a feature in the Auckland Lions last year until a knee injury curtailed his season and he returns after surgery.
"He's had time as back-up, he's had a good off-season," Cleary said, "he's ready."
There were other options available but Cleary wanted to concentrate on game one and Kirk had the chance to cement the spot.
Simon Mannering shifts to his preferred spot in the second row and newcomer Brent Tate is right centre, forming a potentially devastating speed-and-power partnership with Manu Vatuvei.
The rest of the starting side is as per most of 2007, bar Ruben Wiki coming from the bench. That adjustment follows Mannering's move in and fits Cleary's desire to keep senior leadership on the field at all times, Wiki allowing for captain Steve Price to be interchanged.
It is Rovelli and Witt's second year together and they can be expected to be more involved and more dominant, confidence coming with consistency of performance and consistent selection.
On the bench, Cleary has gone for three forwards and Hohaia as utility. He has some luxury in the latter's ability to play at hooker, halfback, five-eighth, centre or wing. "Lance covers more positions than probably anyone else in the NRL does," Cleary said yesterday. "He gives us a lot of options."
Cleary is pleased with the balance of the squad generally and feels they will handle the shift from 12 to 10 interchanges without undue problems.
"Our squad is very flexible and I think that's very important," he said. The Storm named Russell Aitken, 22, who has just eight NRL appearances since his debut in 2003, as replacement for star five-eighth Greg Inglis who has a shoulder problem. Kiwis prop Jeff Lima starts and another former Kiwi in Adam Blair rejoins the Storm bench.