Aiton, 24, was confined to "light duties'' when the new-look Sharks had their first pre-season training run yesterday at the new Bardon Ridge Sports Complex.

He underwent surgery with a difference to repair his right knee, with the achilles tendon successfully transplanted from a deceased person.

Queensland-born Aiton is considered one of the key signings for the club, along with centre Dean Collis, utility John Morris, forwards Adam Cuthbertson, Broderick Wright and Stuart Flanagan, and backs, half Albert Kelly and winger Taulima Tautai.

But it was the nuggety little Aiton who had his coach and teammates talking. "I hurt my knee halfway through the [2009] season, but I didn't think much of it,'' said Aiton, who went on to win a majority of his team's Man of the Match awards.

"Then, with a month to go, I was told to have scans. They showed I had no anterior cruciate ligament and only 50 per cent of my posterior [cruciate]. I was told I could have an op or play on until the end of the season. I decided to play on.''

It is history now that the Panthers dropped out of the NRL finals race, with Aiton gladly accepting an offer to join the Sharks for 2010.

Coach Ricky Stuart said Aiton's drama showed the club had signed a "tough'' player. The club finalised its 2010 roster by adding former Canberra hooker Stuart Flanagan, who will battle with Aiton for a run-on spot, and the confirmation of Parramatta winger Tautai's

signature.

Stuart will take the Sharks for a week-long training camp at Kiama on the south coast from today.

Sharks players and coaching staff were yesterday told they can "make a difference'' to fans struggling with ill health and hardship.

The message came from Paul Featherstone, the paramedic who helped in the rescue of Thedbo disaster survivor Stuart Diver, and who has been involved in many rescues including the Granville train wreck.

Now a Sutherland Shire resident and Sharks supporter, he won an Australian Bravery Medal for his work, and has written a book about his experiences.

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