Influential skipper Aaron Woods says Jason Taylor’s sacking was a “massive shock” to the Wests Tigers and insists player power wasn’t behind the coach’s downfall.
“We honestly didn’t see that coming. We were at a recovery (session) and checked my Twitter feed – I was getting a massage – and it said JT had 24 hours left,” Woods told NRL 360 on Fox Sports.
“We had no idea.”
Along with fullback James Tedesco and halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks, Woods makes up the Tigers’ so-called “big four”, a term the NSW State of Origin prop made clear he was not fond of.
All four are off contract in 2018 and eager to know who will coach the Tigers beyond this season before re-committing to the club.
But Woods says none of the star quartet played a deliberate part in Taylor’s demise.
“We never sat down and talked about it at all,” the Blues enforcer said.
“I’m one of the four that’s off contract. We’ve got the same management. At the same time, I just got married in the off-season.
“So I’ve got to sit down with my management and my wife and we’re going to sort out what we’re going to do.
“It’s got nothing to do with the other three boys (but about) what’s best for me and my family.”
Woods wouldn’t reveal what he would have said to Tigers management had they consulted the captain before sacking Taylor.
“All I wanted to know was who the coach was going to be the year after (this year) and what direction did the club want to go in,” he maintained.
“It was nothing against JT. I got along with JT really well.
“He was the one that gave me my start as captain of the club and from there I’ve now been in the rep side consistently, so I can’t thank JT enough.”
While Tigers assistant Andrew Webster will fill a caretaker’s role, former Warriors and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is tipped to be named as Taylor’s full-time successor in the coming days.
Woods said he barely knew Cleary and all he hoped for was “a bit of direction” for the embattled Tigers.
“Look, I’ve never had a football talk with Ivan. I don’t know what he’s like as a coach,” he said.
“At the moment, we don’t know what we’re doing. We’ve got an interim coach in at the moment.
“It’s hard for JT. He did all that work in the pre-season and now it’s gone so It sort of leaves us in the middle of nowhere, whereas Andrew’s got to pick up the slack.
“I’m a player and all I want to do is play. I’m the captain the of the club and I want to lead the boys each weekend.
“I want to let the coaches do the coaching and let the administrators do the administrative work.
“I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Suechi
Guest
Woods didn't see it coming? Same with Robbie Farrar? Blind Man Woods! Two struggling clubs combined together = 1 struggling club. At least the Dragons (at the time) had the $$, and the Steelers had the juniors. I'm not a fan of mergers - would rather see a strong second tier comp.
Birdy
Guest
Good points VH. But if the NRL opposed the merger in the first place we would have had parra and balmain merge and Canterbury and wests merge. 2 broke clubs merging were always going to struggle. Since I'm lnly talking with the wisdom of hindsight Balmain dhould have relocated to Perth or had a better look at the offer from Brisbane Easts.
Birdy
Guest
Woods didn't see it coming. Might just call him HollyWoodsey.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Benny did take control of Balmain and he drove them so far into the ground I do believe you can see them floating in the Atlantic Ocean. (Take control us used liberally. He didnt take control, they just trusted him)
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Theres going to be more catfights than a season of Real Housewives before these two split.
Big Daddy
Guest
Can you imagine Benny running around like a chook with no head if that ever happened. For a bloke to suggest that Wayne Pearce take over as CEO is ridiculous. I like Wayne Pearce and wouldn't like to see him in that position. I believe Benny is a big time property developer - why doesn't he put his hand up. Answer-- no one likes him and treats him as a joke. They call these clubs professional ,- truth is they're run by amateur's and they're not alone. Your right someone will soon go to wall.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Hi Vincent, I take your point about the two-club mentality. In a perfect world, and one which I personally would like to see unfold, then I agree that the vision ought - ought - to be Wests Tigers. I also agree with you that in the past, the merger kept both of them alive. Neither would be here today but for that. But you are right - they do have a two-club mentality. Going forward though, sad though it is, I think the Tigers are going the wall. But probably a few more broken teeth and black eyes to be handed out until what I think is inevitable.
jamesb
Guest
Tigers should ditch Leichhardt, and just have six games at ANZ and six games at Campbelltown. Leichhardt Oval is a dump, while Campbelltown is a decent underrated suburban ground.
kk
Roar Pro
Wests Tigers are akin to two brothers inheriting a company with potential. Each brother started off with 50% of the Company's capital. But one brother was an irresponsible spendthrift, devoid of business acumen. The astute brother had to bail the spendthrift out of financial poo and in doing so now owns 75% of the company with a magnanimous rider to allow a buy back to 50%. The astute brother rules the castle with an iron rod in fear of his brother getting into the cookie jar. In view of history, a wise move. Twenty- five percent of a working entity and the opportunity to keep the best icon in League alive for future prospects as a sole entity are worth the effort. It will happen.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Provincialism is a horrible thing.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Not a chance. Wests are basically running it at this stage but the whole problem is that they think of themselves as 2 clubs. They need to realise that without the other, neither would be there. Without Balmain at the merger Magpies wouldnt have survived and without Mgpies now, the Tigers name would be dead. Look at all the old boys coming and voicing their opinion on their half of the club and taking shots at the other half. Its never going to work when they think of themselves as the western Suburbs Magpies & the Balmain Tigers. They need to start supporting and speaking out about the Wests Tigers.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Exactly. It's a lunatic asylum, and the lunatics are running it. A full take-over by Wests might be the only thing that can set the clock back to zero and maybe they can have a stab at it from there.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Cmon now he's good for a blinder 1 in 10.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Seriously tho, how often has a coach been sacked 3 weeks into a season going 1 & 2?
Steve Wilson
Guest
A few years back now mr woods shaped up to david shillington and shillo gave him a couple and woods put his head down and couldn't get out of there quick enough, he has very little toughness in defence, on tip sheets it would read, RUN AT WOODS, because his first up contact is so poor for a big man its not funny, product of the catch and hold technique that so many kids nowaday's have been taught, so overated.
Sean
Guest
Didnt see it coming? pffft letting in 80 points in two games made him a dead man walking. If the players actually had a go hed still be there..
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Woodsy was very good in this segment, full credit to him.
Nathan
Guest
I call bullsh*t