Dragons prop Aaron Woods has slammed suggestions he was eyeing a Tigers homecoming, revealing he is “120 per cent” committed to the Red V.
Reports in November suggested a chance meeting with new assistant coach Benji Marshall on the Gold Coast sparked a potential return to Leichhardt for Woods.
The 31-year-old spent seven years at the Tigers, playing 146 games before making the move to the Bulldogs, and after one season the Sharks.
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Woods made it clear he is committed to Anthony Griffin’s Dragons side and was frustrated reports emerged as he begun pre-season training.
“You never dump on your employer because it reflects poorly on your character,” Woods said to the SMH.
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Woods went in to bat for under siege coach Anthony Griffin, praising him for remaining upbeat despite losing his father two weeks before pre-season began.
Woods also spoke about former premiership winner Matt Cooper snubbing the Dragons 2010 team reunion.
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“The reason why I did not attend was I didn’t want to make a scene and ruin a special occasion … knowing former CEO and a player who did not even play in the game were going to be there,” Cooper tweeted.
It remains unclear what exactly Cooper is referring to it does appear to involve former club CEO Peter Doust.
When told by one fan to “be the bigger man and ignore said people”, Cooper replied: “Not if you knew what Doust did to me.”
“‘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.”
