Olly: I’m good enough for Super League!
HUDDERSFIELD Giants full-back Olly Ashall-Bott has revealed how he overcame a career-threatening back injury to resurrect his Super League dream.
The former Widnes Vikings prospect joined London Broncos at the start of last year, but the Championship season was postponed in March due to the pandemic and did not restart.
Ashall-Bott ended up playing on loan for Salford Red Devils and then signed for Ian Watson again at Giants for the 2021 campaign.
The 23-year-old has endured numerous injury setbacks during his fledgling career and was struck down again when playing for the Claret and Gold during a pre-season game against Leeds Rhinos on March 14.
That meant he missed the start of the season and, with Lee Gaskell having claimed the full-back spot at Huddersfield, Ashall-Bott is currently on loan at Wakefield Trinity and marked his debut with a try in their recent home defeat to Catalans Dragons.
Yet the seriousness of a back injury discovered when he joined London left him fearing he would never play professional rugby league again.
Ashall-Bott told the Examiner: “No-one really knows about this, but I needed a back operation at the start of last year.
“I had a bulging disc when I was a kid and it worsened - I had a few epidurals and that never seemed to sort it.
“It got that bad that I went for a scan and it basically exploded - the disc was gone.
“I needed what was left of it taking out as I couldn’t walk or drive at the time.
“I came to terms with the thought that I might have to leave rugby behind because life is more important.
“But, thankfully, London Broncos
really looked after me and got me sorted with the operation.”
Although Ashall-Bott started last season in Danny Ward’s side, the growing spread of Covid throughout the UK forced rugby league to be suspended.
Ashall-Bott added: “We did pre-season at the Broncos but I was only there for about three months.
“I played in a Challenge Cup game and then Covid hit and they told us ‘you’re going to have to go home.’ We’ll tell you when you can come back.’
“But we never got the phone call to come back in.
“It was a wasted year in mine and quite a few other players’ careers, really, all because of the pandemic.
“I wouldn’t be playing now if I hadn’t got my back sorted.
“I’ve had quite a few injuries considering my age but, hopefully, that’s me done with them now.
“I’m praying I don’t get another one.”
Despite his numerous setbacks, Ashall-Bott remains highly regarded within the game and he underlined his ability with a fine display on his debut against Catalans.
The former England Academy player added: “I thought I was going to start the season in the team at Huddersfield, so I was gutted to pick up a knock in preseason.
“Wakefield then rang, asked me to join on a two-week loan and said ‘you’re playing on Friday against Catalans.’
“I couldn’t really say no to that and it’s just about getting gametime now.
“I only signed a one-year deal at Huddersfield, so I need to get my head down, get playing games and see what happens.
“I’m just taking it week to week because I’ve not really had a proper go at rugby league yet, mainly due to injuries.
“Only when I finally have a decent run without injuries will I know whether I can play at the top level, but I believe I can.
“I’ve said ‘take each week as it comes at Wakey’ and if they want to keep me then I’d like to play as many games as I can for them.
“If I can get back playing for Huddersfield, where I’m contracted, that would be even better. Playing in Super League is where I want to be and I don’t mind who that is for.
“I’m not sure if I’ve ever played