It started with his hair. I started to pay particular attention to Aaron Woods in Game 3 of State of Origin and I noticed something wasn’t right.
So I re-watched Game 3 (the decider, when players should be at their best) with a notepad and pen, here’s what I found.
Woods conceded four penalties by himself and was lazy or belligerent the rest of the time.
At 7:48, Woods was penalised for lying on the tackled player (perhaps unlucky). Less than three minutes later (11:21) he was again penalised for lying on the tackled player.
A further minute passed before Woods hit Johnathan Thurston slightly late (12:46) but no penalty was awarded. On 16:56 Woods attempted an arm tackle on Aiden Guerra but was shoved away and fell flat on his back.
Seconds after, Woods failed to mark up and is clearly next to the actual marker. He was in an offside position and very lucky not to be penalised. On 24:55 Woods was again penalised for being offside when Cooper Cronk threw the ball into him from dummy half.
The performance continued in the second half with NSW penalised after James Tamou and (mainly) Woods holding up Greg Inglis.
Finally, in the back play on 73:57, well after the pass, Woods throws Thurston to the ground by his jersey not as part of a tackle. A squabble ensues. No penalty.
Now to be fair, I noticed Woods wasn’t a ball hog and is happy to pass the ball. He had many standard runs and tackles, although none seemed determined nor aggressive like some of David Klemmer’s. Woods also didn’t miss any tackles that led to tries, those were all conceded by the NSW back line.
However, I counted at least seven times when he flopped in on the tackle as the third man which struck me as lazy. I also noted that usually he could be seen walking slowly – not even briskly.
Lastly, I noticed he never produces hurtful tackles – he is an upright grabber. He rarely puts a hard shoulder into a tackle. Anyway, I googled Aaron Woods and found this June news item calling out Woods for lazy defence.
But, amazingly, people say he is Dally M material.
Folks, I’m going back to re-watch Game 1. Clearly Woods has the physical tools to be a great prop, but from my first ever forensic look at the bloke I was gobsmacked by his laziness and lack of controlled aggression.
Hey Aaron, get a haircut and start YouTubing ‘Nathan Hindmarsh’, please!
BeastieBoy
Guest
Exactly what i have been saying all along. He offloads or takes a side step as he hits the offensive line. He never hits with intent to bust through the advantage line. He has such physical gifts but does not use them. Hence they can't get on the front foot with him. Whereas the Queensland front row hit with fire and passion. Id drop Woods, Tamou and Hopawaite.
Bailey Madgwick
Roar Rookie
Aaron Woods is the best prop in the game. The fact that he wasn't impactful was part because of the pathetic performance of Michael Ennis and that none of the other forwards had any go forward whatsoever. Put him with a good hooker and a forward pack that can help him out.
john neeson
Guest
In fact they don't call 'em the "Tele Tigers" for nothing. Poor old Wests will languish as long as they stick with their local youth program.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Sure, it changes the number of hit ups, but it also changes how effective those hit ups are -- the hit up after most Taumalolo hit ups would be virtually guaranteed to make some good metres.
Steve Holt
Guest
Yeah but compare forward packs. Scott is competing with Tamou, Hannant, Tamololo, Cooper, and Lowe for hit ups. Woods is competing with Tapau and... Galloway? Who even knows?
DB
Guest
Woods's play the ball is poor for the same reason Andrew Fifita has a poor play the ball. They both attempt to milk a penalty almost every time they play the ball. It slows things down enormously. They get a penalty occasionally but it's outweighed by the 9 times out of 10 they don't.
Muzz
Guest
Aaron Woods and Matthew Scotts bread and butter 2015 club stats. Woods.. Played 12, Tackles 397, Metres 2270, Hit ups 201 Scott-....Played 14, Tackles 410, Metres 2036, Hit ups 170 It doesn't hurt to compare his stats against another AU Prop for some perspective.
Roger Roger
Guest
Remember when he made 19m(!) in the decider in 2013 as a starting prop. Bloke is woeful, and simply cannot aim up. Bit of a minnow basher, but isn't good enough to be among the best. Typical Sheens selection though, with his Tigers bias.
jamesb
Guest
Jake will become the best prop in the game. He has the right tackling technique and never stops with his go forward.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Gold
V.O.R.
Guest
Woods & Fifita....the flop specialists. It used to be a penalty every time.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
DId flops count for a drink? If they didn't then you would have had to only drink about 6 all game.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Ah yes, that makes sense. Thanks Alex.
MAX
Guest
Agreed 100%. When I saw that I was glad I had not bet on the game. Seriously, you have a gift for the forensic analysis of the game combined with Dan Eastwood's expertise seems like a format that could only enhance a more educated insight into the game. Please refer to the editor as a suggestion. It could only be good for business. I notice that Vossy does not host Tony Archer's reviews anymore. Pity!
Big T
Guest
Have a watch of game 2 - amazing he wasn't penalized just as much.... I think Mal may have had a word to the refs and he came in for attention in game 3.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Was it you that wrote "The Gentleman of Verona - A Fletch and Hindy story"?
PLANKO
Guest
Good to hear that Will ... I give your team a shot up there your young team rises for the good teams.
Parrafan
Guest
Love it.
PLANKO
Guest
I don't mind Aaron Woods but I would not swap him for Jake. Quite scarily I have been watching Jakes game very carefully you will struggle to find a fault in that lad Manly should be offering him a lifetime deal.
JC
Guest
"A mid season nights dream - The hope that the Warriors might make the finals."