Aidan Corr is determined to stake his claim on a permanent spot in the GIANTS’ back six in 2015.
 
After 10 games in his debut season, a shoulder injury restricted the former number 14 draft pick to just four games this season.
 
Corr began the year playing for the UWS GIANTS before he was selected to play in the Round 8 match against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.
 
But just three rounds later against Essendon, Corr injured his left shoulder and his season was suddenly over.
 
“Obviously it’s very hard to get opportunities, especially with new players coming to the club this year as well, but last year (season) was very frustrating,” Corr said.
 
“I tried my hardest, worked really hard with extra sessions in the gym and all that sort of stuff and to finally get there and then be off the ground that was frustrating for sure.
 
“I was in a contest and I got hit pretty had and unfortunately for me I had pretty bad shoulders at the time so it popped out.
 
“We thought it was best to get surgery straight away instead of messing around for the rest of the season so at the end of June I got surgery on my left shoulder and I’m still out from then.”
 
Corr began rehabilitation on his shoulder straight away and started running again before the end of the season. He’s relishing being back at the club for pre-season and expected to join the main group for full training at the GIANTS’ pre-season camp in Noosa in late December.
 
“Obviously (pre-season) has been pretty tough so far. Getting back into the swing of things has been great and getting back to Sydney, it’s good weather up here, so it’s very exciting,” Corr said.
 
“I’m not fully back into full training yet, still no contact, so I’m running around with the boys but I can’t really get involved in the all tackling and all that sort of stuff which is a little bit frustrating but it’s all a part of it.
 
“Hopefully in the next few weeks when we head up to Noosa I should be back into full training.”
 
The 20-year-old has already set his sights on next season and in the absence of Tim Mohr through a knee injury, cementing a spot in the GIANTS’ back six. And just three weeks after arriving at the club, 182-game veteran and new recruit Joel Patfull is already teaching Corr the ins and outs of his defensive game.
 
“I’m definitely trying to play as many games as possible. I’d love to beat my first year of 10 games,” Corr said.
 
“With Joel Patfull coming in there’s a lot more competition down back now but my main goal now is to play Round 1.
 
“I train with him every day, he’s in my group for weights and boxing and all that sort of stuff. He’s just so smart, just little things he’s already teaching me - just composure in the back line, less panic and more picking out targets and all that sort of stuff.
 
“It’s really unfortunate for Tim and for the boys but it’s definitely a massive opportunity for me as a fellow backman and I’ll definitely be trying to make the most of that.”