Aaron Woods should immediately peel off the ‘C’ on this week’s team sheet and hand it respectfully to Ivan Cleary. He should tell Laurie Daley to not even consider him as Blues captain, and he should ditch the footy show panels.
Woodsy should put all of his energies into footy. Into tackling, into getting fitter and into running harder.
A number of reasons come to mind as to why Woods should bin the leadership role.
For a start, Woods’ recent performances against the Cowboys and Parramatta Eels were by no means terrible, but they certainly weren’t worthy of the dollars being tossed up for his services.
Woods has never been a destroyer of opposition defensive lines. Sure, he possesses a subtle shuffle of the feet prior to impact, is hard to get to ground, and he has a decent offload, but he’s not once caused the type of panic in enemy lines Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at full tilt can produce.
If Paul Vaughan were available at the moment, it wouldn’t be hard to guess who’d collect more coin at the negotiations table.
And what about Woods’ body language during his recent matches? He looks to be uninterested at times, just going through the motions. No real discernible sense of urgency or spark and an apparent lack of desire to perform are just a few of the observations which have been made.
A case in point is the match against Parramatta on the weekend. With the game still there to be won, his efforts with seven seconds left on the clock were awful. Woods’ inability to rally a few troops to pack a scrum for one last-gasp play stunk.
Then there are his recent media appearances, which have been disappointing for supporters to watch. While his comments have not been bluntly oppositional to the Tigers, they haven’t exactly been supportive either. He has not once tried to alter the narrative being peddled.
At a time when the club is being battered in the media for its apparent shambolic operation, Woods has been allowing the stones to be thrown. It’s pretty ordinary stuff from the skipper.
The way he’s played and conducted himself on the paddock coupled with his increased, yet poor, media presence has unfortunately combined to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of most fans.
People have given the Wests Tigers a lot of grief about the farcical contract situation bubbling away at Concord. Many thought it laughable that of all the off-contract quartet, the club captain hadn’t already put pen to paper.
But where is Woods’ accountability in all this?
As club captain, shouldn’t he have shown some leadership and looked to re-sign sooner rather than later? Talk of wanting to know who the coach was was unhelpful and has turned out to be somewhat of a fib – after all, Ivan Cleary has been in charge for a fortnight and still nothing has changed.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby-league” name=”League”]
The length of the negotiations and the manner in which they have played out are conspiring to work against the players. The current sentiment is that most Tigers supporters will be happy to see off Woods, they’re not fussed that Mitchell Moses has jumped ship, and the outcry won’t be as loud as it once would have been if James Tedesco changes colours.
Unfortunately, the whole episode has given the four young Tigers players a lot of unwanted and distracting attention.
Furthermore, Woods’ leadership deficiencies and his poor sense of judgment have been glaringly and sadly exposed. That may be harsh, but the prolonged contract saga has taken its toll on all parties. It has all but wiped his stocks as NSW’s potential skipper for this year’s Origin series and dented his leadership credentials at any other club.
In hindsight, poor old Woods may have unfortunately been given something for which he wasn’t quite ready. A leadership vacuum, lack of quality candidates, and being the oldest of the young cubs at the Tigers combined to land him a role he shouldn’t have been given yet.
True, he may have grown into the role better if the Tigers were a successful club, but instead, Woods has been clearly affected by the experience of skippering a ship which has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese.
To look at it another way, he’s probably a leader more suited to peaceful, jovial times. Not the landmine-ridden, guerrilla warfare in which he’s been found.
Raugeee
Guest
I am in total agreement King Cowboy. His record at rep level is absolutely woeful. I paid particular attention to him during last years 4 Nation. When confronted by an advancing opposition, instead of leading the way, he back pedals! When the hard work is done by the two defenders around him he does a 3rd man flop. This counts as a tackle! He never bends the line as a starting front rower must. I can't believe a coach as shrewd as Meninga selects him. Shannon Boyd did a far better job in the lead up game vs Kiwis in Perth. Woods was starting front row in all 3 games Oz lost to NZ 2014 - 15. He's not available 2016 - hey presto - Kangaroos win the next two games convincingly. As a Maroon supporter I sincerely hope NSW stick with him.
Al
Guest
Good lord... back away from the keyboard champ. If you love him just be open and tell him. Don't get all schoolgirl and insult him into loving you back.
JoM
Guest
It isn't a good look for him to be photographed having lunch with the team he is playing against this week and who he has supposedly signed with
John
Guest
Self congrats, the last sad bastion of egocentric attention seeking! Enjoy it Mr Brown, when you manage to step away from the mirror be sure to attend that fan day.
Matt Jones
Guest
they arent trying to offload Mbye. maybe you should stop reading the crisis stores in the tele?
Matt Jones
Guest
typical view from the cheap seats
Matt Jones
Guest
that doesnt mean they should be captain
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Jeez, this article was well timed.
BeastieBoy
Guest
There is No loyalty from the Club To players anymore. Has not been for living memory. You are only as good as your last game. Look at Canterbury wanting to offload Moses Mbye. So naturally players have to go with that and work within that system. Cleary has come in but he has not been successful as a coach. he has never won a premiership and was shown the door by Penrith. Heres hoping that all changes. The management at the Tigers has been very poor. It is natural that the players who have a VERY short playing life should want the maximum return during for all the years spent getting there. It is also natural that they want to join a club where they can succeed in winning premierships and prolong their careers. If the club they are at have not as yet positioned themselves as that, its no fault of the Players.
The spectator
Guest
Would be hard atm for Tiger fans, i was only thinking along these lines a few days ago and realised during 360 last night that if you put this hole situation on another player, away from Woodsies personality and in the hole context of it, unless you know the relationships surrounding all parties involved from the four off contracted, the coaching dramas, the board and whos telling who what, jury cant return! insufficient evidence your honour. From an outsiders point of view its easy to see why he had no fight left trying to round up the scrum when his frustration was written all over his face, if Woodsie came to my club id be happy, he has held himself well during comitments lately though, dont you think ?
John
Guest
Gibber confirmed, very happy.
TigerMike
Guest
Bravo !! Well written, needs to be said. Even week one of Cleary-s start, he was joking about him in a media interview, he has no respect for the Tigers, the Tiger's badge, team, coach or club. Plus he hasn't re signed, which means he is talking outta school to some other teams. I'd be surprised if he's picked in any rep team again, but each nrl outfit has it's own mysteries and surprising outcomes Not sure who to pick as C so I'll default to your selection Mr B and in any case give the team full support this weekend v the dogs
KingCowboy
Guest
Yes he is the starting player for NSW and Australia, hence the term overrated. If he played for the Newtown Jets, he wouldn't me overrated, that is what his talent level and toughness is at. Happy with that?
John
Guest
Isn't Woods the Wests Tigers captain and a starting front rower for NSW and Australia?? Tell us more though KingCowboy sounds really interesting.
John
Guest
Ask him at the next fan day, Mr Brown?
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
E.Taylor is by far the best candidate. Team man, professional, no niggling stuff in his game, doesn't try and milk penalties. Top player
KingCowboy
Guest
I would go with Taylor. Hard as nails. IMO Woods is the most overrated player in the NRL.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
I have come to the conclusion that he doesn't want the captaincy. A fresh start at a new club with no responsibility is what I reckon he actually wants.
R2k
Guest
I understand your frustration, watching his recent media sessions haven't been great and the tigers aren't doing well on the field but it's nowhere near significant enough to call for his head in regards to captaincy. Also who else is going to be captain? Maybe Tedesco as a stretch? A few years ago I would've suggested Chris Lawrence but I can't think of anyone else. Patience required.
John
Guest
Wouldn't happen to be a Tigers fan, Mr Brown?