Aaron Woods

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For the American football and Canadian footballer, see Aaron Woods (gridiron football).

Aaron Woods
Aaron Woods Australia.jpg
Personal information
Born (1991-03-13) 13 March 1991 (age 30)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight111 kg (17 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2011–17 Wests Tigers 146 12 0 0 48
2018 Canterbury Bulldogs 14 0 0 0 0
2018–21 Cronulla Sharks 73 5 0 0 20
2022- St George Illawarra 0 0 0 0 0
Total 233 17 0 0 68
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012–13 NSW City Origin 2 0 0 0 0
2012–16 Prime Minister's XIII 3 2 0 0 8
2013–17 New South Wales 14 1 0 0 4
2014–18 Australia 18 0 0 0 0
As of 4 June 2021
Source: [1][2]

Aaron Woods (born 13 March 1991) is an Australian rugby league forward who plays for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.

He previously captained Wests Tigers and played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League. He has played at representative level for the Prime Minister's XIII, NSW City Origin and New South Wales in the State of Origin series.

Early life[]

Woods was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and was raised by his mother in an apartment above a newsagent on Norton Street, Leichhardt. He has spoken of the influence of the women in his life. He said, "My dog is female, I was a mummy's boy and a nanna's boy, my aunties would bash me and pick on me like a young brother, my missus is strong and stable, my youngest sister is my biggest fan. They’ve all been great for me."[3]

Woods played junior rugby league with Leichhardt Juniors and participated in the Balmain Tigers Development Program. He based his game on players Jason Ryles and Ben Kennedy.[4] He attended Holy Cross College, Ryde, and represented NSW Catholic Colleges when he was 17.[5] In 2008, he played for the Australian schoolboys team.[6]

Woods, 2009

In 2009, Woods played for Wests Tigers' Toyota Cup (Under-20s) team in their run to the Grand Final, but 2010 was mired by injury,[6] with his hamstring coming close to being torn completely off the bone.[7] However, before the start of the 2011 season, Ricky Stuart named him in a "Blues in Waiting" squad, for potential future NSW State of Origin players.[7] He was described as one of, "the State's best crop of young talent."[8]

Playing career[]

2011-12[]

Woods made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers at the start of the 2011 season, the day after his 20th birthday. He came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining in the game against Canterbury. Woods later said, "It was a Monday night against a pretty handy side. It was unreal. I’ll never forget running at Andrew Ryan and Corey Payne, thinking gee this is the NRL. I got up thinking far out, that was a good hit. But after that the nerves were gone."[9]

Woods scored a try in his 4th appearance. He was a regular in the first-grade team throughout the year, mostly starting from the bench. His first season form was described as, "impressive," and, "one of the few constants in an erratic Wests Tigers' NRL season."[7] He was named the club's rookie of the year.[10]

Woods (right) at the 2012 Dally M Awards

With the departure of Bryce Gibbs and Todd Payten, Woods became a starting prop at the start of 2012 season. After seven weeks, Woods made his senior representative debut with City Origin.[11] Coach Brad Fittler said of his performance, "I thought he was the best prop on the field. I'm sure he'll build from this, and whether it's this year or next year, he looks like someone who can make the step up."[12]

Woods was named as a standby player for NSW in the first two State of Origin matches of 2012, to cover for any late injuries. It was commented in the press that he had, "arguably been the form front-rower of the competition so far."[13] Over the season he made 377 runs for 3455 metres and made 808 tackles, placing him near the best in the NRL in yardage, and in the top twenty in tackles made.[14] He was one only 3 Wests Tigers players to appear in every game throughout the season, and was named the club's Player of the Year.[15] At the end of the year he was nominated for Prop of the Year at the Dally M awards.[16] Steve Roach later said, "He virtually carried them [the Tigers] last year, when Galloway was injured. I reckon, along with James Tamou, he's the best ball-running front-rower in the comp."[17]

2013-14[]

In 2013, Woods made his State of Origin debut in game two after James Tamou was suspended for a drink-driving offence.[18] He also played in the third game of the series, but saw limited time on the field in both matches. Playing for the Wests Tigers, Woods was averaging a high 60 minutes per game in an inexperienced front row, before succumbing to injury late in the season.[19] Woods later signed a contract to remain with the Wests Tigers for a further three seasons.[20]

Despite a lucrative offer from the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Woods say he was unable to leave Wests Tigers. "It was a mental thing. I love to be in the comfort zone, so I stayed here. Also, the Wests Tigers looked after me. I had a few injuries and they stuck by me; guess I was ready to give back what they gave to me."[4]

Thought by some to be the form prop during the early NRL rounds, he was considered unlucky not to be selected in the 2014 ANZAC Test.[21] Woods went on to be named as a starting prop for New South Wales in the 2014 State of Origin series. He was one of three NSW players to carry the ball 100 metres in game one,[22] and then contributed to the team winning its first series in nine years.

Woods finished 2014 as the Tigers' leader in offloads and hitups,[23] scoring a personal best 4 tries. In round 9, he co-captained the team for the first time with Chris Lawrence. At the end of the season, Woods was again chosen to play for Prime Minister's XIII, scoring two tries, and was described as "the dominant player up the middle."[24]

"A 114 kg prop, with hair like a samurai, beard of a lumberjack, a throwback gut from the 70s."

−Andrew Webster [25]

Woods on representative duty with the Kangaroos in 2014

2015[]

In May, Woods was chosen as one of Australia's starting props in the Anzac Test. Despite Woods making, "plenty of metres" and having, "a strong work rate",[26] the team suffered a comprehensive defeat. A third of the way through the season, Woods was averaging 215 metres a game, 50 more than the next best prop in the competition.[27]

Woods was again chosen as a starting prop for NSW in the 2015 State of Origin series. Playing in a losing team in game one, he ran for 141 metres with the ball and made 41 tackles without a miss, with the Herald Sun asking, "Is there any doubting now he's the game's new top prop?"[28] In the second game, he ran for a game-high 150 metres and brushed past opponent Matt Scott to score a try in the second half that saw NSW take a match-winning lead.[29] Although not awarded the Man of the Match, he was given 3 Dally M points for being rated the best player on the field, momentarily placing him first on the Dally M leader-board.[30] However, in the third match, Woods was criticised for conceding too many penalties in the Blues series-deciding loss.[31]

Despite missing games due to State of Origin and injury, Woods was in the competition's top 20 players for hit-ups and yardage[32] and was named at prop in the NRL website's team of the year.[33] In the absence of Robbie Farah, Woods captained Wests Tigers in 4 matches, all of which were losses.[34] Woods capped off the season with the Dally M Prop of the Year award and finished runner up in the Dally M Player of the Year to Johnathan Thurston.[35][36]

2016[]

Woods succeeded Farah as Wests Tigers captain from 2016. He claimed his leadership technique was to, "just remain calm. People ask how the captaincy has changed things for me but I'll never change my role in the side no matter what I have next to my name. We're all equal... I just do a little bit more talking at press conferences, man."[37]

A "near certain" selection for the Anzac Test, Woods was unable to play after suffering ligament damage and bone bruising in his ankle in round 6. At the time, he was the competition's leader for metres gained with the ball.[38] He returned in round 10 and was chosen for New South Wales. The Blues lost the first 2 games with Woods being very blunt when asked by Channel 9 commentators how he felt seeing Queensland win another series Woods said "It's shithouse," Woods told Channel Nine. "It's probably the best way to put it. We just let them off the hook again tonight like game one". Woods was described as, "The best prop on the ground in the first half with several strong carries. The only NSW forward to run 100 metres," in game 2.[39] He had the most metres for any forward on the ground when NSW won the third game of the series.[40][41]

Making 19 appearances for Wests Tigers, he was the club's leader in hit ups, and had a club-high average of 160 metres per game in attack.[42] At year's end, he was chosen in the Australian squad for the Four Nations, but was absent from the test against New Zealand due to his wedding. Coach Mal Meninga said, "The timing is not perfect but family comes first and you’ve got to keep the wives happy don’t you?"[43] He was the starting prop in all four Four Nations matches, which were all victories.

2017[]

With Woods linked to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the Wests Tigers imposed a deadline for Woods to re-sign by 21 April. When Woods' manager did not respond by the cut-off, the Wests Tigers contract offer was withdrawn. Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said, "We're really comfortable with the fact that we afforded the players every opportunity that we could to stay at the club."[44]

Before the Wests Tigers' next match, which was against the Canterbury-Bankstown, Woods was booed by sections of the crowd before the game, but was awarded the man of the match for his performance.[45] Soon after he signed a four-year deal with the Canterbury-Bankstown club. Woods later said, "I’m not proud of how things went down. At the time I thought what I was doing was right, but looking back I should’ve handled things differently. I was the captain of the Wests Tigers. I grew up around the corner from Leichhardt Oval. I lost sight of what that meant and the responsibility I had continuing the legacy of the guys that came before me."[46]

On 30 July, Woods scored his first try of the year as Wests defeated Gold Coast 26–4.[47]

2018[]

Woods made his debut for Canterbury in their round 1 loss against Melbourne. Following the game, Woods was mocked on social media and by current players for his new haircut. His trademark flowing locks were replaced by a bob hairstyle which prompted some cutting remarks. Woods was initially surprised by all the attention and told the media "I copped a bit of flack during the week, There was Dora The Explorer, that Lord Farquaad bloke (from Shrek). It was a haircut gone wrong ... but I have to move on; the best way was to shave it off. Everyone is worrying about the hair. I am worrying about playing good footy for the Bulldogs".[48][49]

Woods was not selected by NSW coach Brad Fittler for the 2018 State of Origin series, ending a run of 14 straight games. Woods learned of his non-selection while sitting next to teammate David Klemmer who had received a phone call from Fittler telling him he was in the team but Woods received none.[50] On 26 June, Woods left the Canterbury-Bankstown club, through a mid year switch, to join the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Later that day, his name was listed to face the New Zealand Warriors on his Cronulla debut.[51] He had played 14 games for Canterbury-Bankstown for just 3 wins, with no points scored.

Woods would go on to make a total of 12 appearances for Cronulla in 2018 as the club reached the preliminary final but fell short of a grand final appearance losing to Melbourne.[52]

2019[]

On 8 April, Woods was ruled out for three months after suffering a fractured foot in Cronulla's round 4 loss against the Parramatta Eels.[53] He made his return in round 15 against his former club Canterbury-Bankstown, playing from the bench as Cronulla lost the match 14–12.[54]

At the end of the season, Cronulla finished in 7th spot and qualified for the finals. Woods played in the club's elimination final defeat against Manly.[55]

2020[]

Woods played 21 games for Cronulla-Sutherland in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished 8th and qualified for the finals. He played in Cronulla's elimination final loss against Canberra.[56]

2021[]

On 3 June, Woods was informed by Cronulla-Sutherland that his services would not be required beyond the 2021 NRL season. In October, he joined Cronulla's arch-rivals St. George Illawarra for the 2022 NRL season. [57][58]

References[]

  1. ^ "League Central". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  2. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Aaron Woods - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  3. ^ Patrick Skene (7 July 2015). "NSW State of Origin star Aaron Woods: the family man with a warrior spirit". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b Lane, Daniel (5 April 2014). "One-time Manly fan Aaron Woods gives Wests Tigers pack a punch". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  5. ^ Chris Karas (23 July 2008). "Sports News". Weekly Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Aaron Woods". weststigers.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Joe Barton (26 May 2011). "Tigers glad Woods is making up for lost time". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Stuart names 'Blues in waiting'". ABC News. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  9. ^ Aaron Woods (31 August 2017). "Aaron Woods exclusive column: The ash cloud New Zealand trip that turned me into Tigers top grader". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Gareth Ellis is Wests Tigers Player of the Year". Ozzie News. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  11. ^ Ian McCullough (22 April 2012). "Robbie Farah, Aaron Woods lead way in City's Origin trial win over Country". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  12. ^ Michael Chammas (23 April 2012). "Woods and Sims leave mark on NSW radar". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  13. ^ Michael Chammas (11 June 2012). "Farah says Blues will still fire if Grant fails to shake off knock". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  14. ^ "NRL STATISTICS". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
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  16. ^ "2012 Dally M Awards Results". League Unlimited. 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  17. ^ Glenn Jackson (26 March 2013). "Young guns prepared to prop up Tigers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  18. ^ "State of Origin: Aaron Woods and Josh Dugan called up for NSW for Game II". ABC. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  19. ^ Tom Sangster (30 January 2014). "NRL SuperCoach no-go zone: players to avoid in 2014 fantasy season". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  20. ^ "AARON WOODS RE-SIGNS WITH WESTS TIGERS". Zero Tackle. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
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  26. ^ Toohey, Barry (3 May 2015). "Anzac Test playerratings: Nate Myles' Test career over, Matt Scott on slide". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  27. ^ Chris Kennedy (5 May 2015). "Tigers love Taupau's aggression". nrl.com. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  28. ^ Christian Nicolussi (27 May 2015). "State of Origin I: Aaron Woods fast earning grudging respect from Maroons rivals". Herald Sun. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  29. ^ "State of Origin: New South Wales's Aaron Woods seals his star status with standout game two performance". ABC. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Dally M Medal: Johnathan Thurston takes lead back from Aaron Woods". The Daily Telegraph. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  31. ^ Nick Walshaw and Dean Ritchie (7 September 2015). "State of Origin game 3: Referees handed Maroons advantage and sucked life out of Blues". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  32. ^ "All Run Metres". nrl.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  33. ^ Jack Brady (9 September 2015). "NRL.com's 2015 Team of the Year". nrl.com. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  34. ^ "NRL 2015 Wests Tigers". Rugby League Project.
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  36. ^ "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
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  39. ^ Chris Boulous, Adam Pengilly (23 June 2016). "State of Origin 2016: how the players rated". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  40. ^ Martin Gabor (13 July 2016). "Origin III: NSW player ratings". nrl.com.au.
  41. ^ "State of Origin 2016: NSW bemoan near miss as Michael Jennings fingertip costs dearly". 22 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Player Stats". nrl.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016.
  43. ^ Nathan Ryan (6 October 2016). "Star Kangaroos' duo to miss Australia's Perth Test match against New Zealand". Fox Sports.
  44. ^ Michael Chammas (21 April 2017). "We did everything we could to keep James Tedesco and Aaron Woods: Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  45. ^ "Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods responds to boos with man-of-the-match performance". Fox Sports. 25 April 2017.
  46. ^ Michael Chammas. "A crisis of identity: The real tales from Tiger town". Sydney Morning Herald.
  47. ^ Barrett, Chris. "Ivan Cleary's son next in line after Wests Tigers prove wreckers against Titans". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  48. ^ "Storm pick up where they left off to defeat Bulldogs". 10 March 2018.
  49. ^ "NRL star gets rid of awful haircut". News.com.au — Australia's Leading News Site. 14 March 2018.
  50. ^ "State of Origin 2018: The brutal way Aaron Woods learned of his NSW Blues axing". 30 May 2018.
  51. ^ "Aaron Woods signs on at Sharks". 26 June 2018.
  52. ^ "Cronulla Sharks 2018 season review". nrl.com. 2 October 2018.
  53. ^ "Aaron Woods out for three months with foot injury". sportingnews.com.
  54. ^ "Canterbury Bulldogs lose Foran but upset Cronulla Sharks". WWOS.
  55. ^ "Under-strength Sea Eagles send Sharks packing". NRL. 14 September 2019.
  56. ^ "Wighton, Williams spark Raiders comeback as Sharks finals hopes ended". www.foxsports.com.au. 3 October 2020.
  57. ^ "Three big-name Sharks set to exit as Cronulla plan roster overhaul". www.nrl.com. 4 June 2021.
  58. ^ "League veteran Aaron Woods is set to sign a one-year deal with the St George Illawara Dragons for 2022". www.foxsports.com.au.

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