Aaron Woods wants St George Illawarra fans to know he is fully committed to the Red V.
The former NSW Origin prop said he was almost embarrassed at talk of him wanting a return to the Wests Tigers where he could re-unite with Benji Marshall, Tim Sheens, Robbie Farah and best mate David Klemmer.
Aaron Woods slogs it out at pre-season training.Credit:St George Illawarra Dragons
Woods said it was frustrating having to report for day one of pre-season training just days after reports emerged he was angling for a Concord homecoming.
The veteran front-rower said it would be a “shit go” to walk out on the Dragons with a year to run on his deal, and would be aiming to repay the faith placed in him by the club and coach Anthony Griffin, who Woods said had done a remarkable job to remain upbeat following the recent death of his father.
Woods, who has a tattoo of the Leichhardt postcode, 2040, said the only time he would give the Tigers serious thought would be when the Dragons played them twice next year.
“You never dump on your employer because it reflects poorly on your character,” Woods told the Herald on Tuesday. “I haven’t spoken to anyone at the Tigers. I went on a holiday to the Gold Coast, my missus booked the same joint that Benji rocked up to, and the next minute there are headlines about me going back to the club.
Aaron Woods remains best friends with new Tigers recruit David KlemmerCredit:Janie Barrett
“There’s nothing in it. It’s pretty disappointing, really. I’m only focused on busting my backside and giving 120 per cent to my Dragons teammates and staff and fans. The only time I’ll think about the Tigers is when we play them twice next year.”
Woods had to play 18 NRL games last season to activate an option for 2023, and threw his support behind Griffin who had received plenty of external pressure to save his job.
“‘Hook’ cops it from everyone,” Woods said. “You have to feel for him. He fronted up to pre-season training after a tough break – he lost his father two weeks before we started back – and he’s been outstanding.
“There’s always something being said about our club. There was talk about the [no-shows] at the awards night, our chairman [Craig Young] stood down, then the Matt Cooper stuff over the weekend [about not liking former boss Peter Doust]. But there is such a good feel around here at the moment. I can’t put it into words.”
Tigers fans know how much 31-year-old Woods would love to pull on the club colours again. A move to England would be unlikely, especially given he has started media work with Triple M. Klemmer’s signing adds to the appeal, with Woods doing his best to sell his bestie the Tigers’ dream.
“Klem is one of my best mates. He’s a good leader, trains hard, plays hard, is a mad footy nut and he will be in awe working with guys like Benji and Robbie and Tim – the change will be good for him,” Woods said.
Meanwhile, Sam Walker put pen to paper to remain with the Sydney Roosters for a further two seasons, keeping him in Bondi until the end of 2025.
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