Former West Tiger Curtis Sironen has told the club’s angry NRL fans to “pull their heads in” following the abusive banners and jeering directed at outgoing captain Aaron Woods.
Sironen left the Tigers at the end of last year for Manly but still has close links to the club through younger brother Bayley, who is in reserve grade, and father Balmain legend Paul.
Sironen was at Leichhardt on Saturday to watch the Tigers’ 22-16 loss to Cronulla, where NSW police and the club are investigating crowd behaviour after a full can was thrown at players at the end of the match.
That incident followed an already heated night at Leichhardt, where banners labelling Woods a “dog” were held aloft – along with similar displays against James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses.
Sironen said it was time for fans to get a grip.
“Those people should pull their heads in,” Sironen said at NSW City-Origin training.
“That sort of crap – no one wants to see that stuff.
“Those people should be embarrassed.”
Woods confirmed on Sunday he had signed a four-year deal with Canterbury for next year, after he failed to meet a club-imposed deadline laid down by the Wests Tigers last month.
However, his more immediate future is unclear.
The 26-year-old is still waiting on the final results of his hamstring injury, which threatens to rule him out of the opening game of the State of Origin series.
Any absence could be a blessing in disguise for the Tigers though, amidst hopes the issue will finally blow over.
The Tigers have just one game in Sydney over the next month – immediately following the representative round – meaning the next time home supporters could see Woods in action may not be until June.
Meanwhile the speculation surrounding Tedesco’s future is expected to be over this week, as it’s understood his deal with the Sydney Roosters will be confirmed in the coming days.
Sironen expects the crowd troubles to eventually ease, but reinforced his frustrations towards the fans’ behaviour in the first place.
“I’m against all that,” he said.
“It’s just petty, childish sort of things.”
Birdy
Guest
A lot of this behaviour could be cleaned up by having a 2 tier salary cap. X amount for club juniors and long term players. Use it or lose it. X amount for players from other clubs or other codes or countries. As a fan i get frustrated at the high turnover of players at a club. The dragged out Tedesco, Woods and Moses affair just causes frustration and bad fan behaviour. Also bring these player managers into line before they cause more damage.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Woods for James Graham? I know who will be coming out for the better and worse after that deal.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
It's all part of the game. Without the fans turning up to games, whether to support their team or vent frustrations, players would be out of a job and working 9-5s like the majority of people in this country. Fan interaction and input should be encouraged. I thought the banner was quite clever personally. The water bottle incident was a different story, and people like that should be punished accordingly.
Kiwijack
Guest
Woods has a higher opinion of himself than most people have of him. He really is no loss and so overrated. Matalino when he arrives will show how useless Woods is. Moses should be sent to reserve grade, it looks like he purposely plays bad for an early release.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Have a look at the tuuurds holding up the banners ,comes as no surprise to me .
Steve
Guest
This is true, I agree with this. If Siro's comments were referring to that, then I agree. If it's about the banners and the booing - toughen up princess. You're a dog, expected to be whistled at.
Cee
Guest
Don't understand the whole loyalty crap. It's a professional sport and whether you like it or not players will leave for money and a better position for them to succeed. You want to Boo and hate on a team no one is stopping you but if you have no right to assault people for the simple reason that your team is crap or they call out employers for either right or wrong reasons.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Of course every fan should not take players presence at their club for granted. Tedesco and Woods haven't 'transferred' they're off contract. Were Tigers fans complaining at Tedesco's dog act when he pulled out of his deal with the Raiders? Was it a dog act for the Tigers to release all the players they have before their contract expired? Was it a dog act to sign Reynolds or Matulino or for Cleary to poach MWZ from his former club? Of course not, it's professional sport. Everyone's got the right to boo. It's not how I choose to respond to players that have busted their gut for my team. But throwing stuff is not on.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Next time my adultry is put up online in photo form by my missus I'll take some advice from Siro's kid
eagleJack
Roar Guru
There is absolutely no excuse for throwing projectiles at players. No matter how much the fan has paid to attend the game.
Steve
Guest
Woods coming out and slagging off his team as the current captain of the club, deserves everything he gets. Look at the difference between how Reynolds moving has been taken by fans compared with Woods? One is leaving with grace and goodwill, and the other is Aaron Woods. He deserves to be treated the way he is. In fact, if I was the Tigers I would be sticking him in reserve grade for the rest of the season.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Sironen is kidding isn't he??? The Tigers fans have every right to be angry! They have lost their top 3 players and Woods and Tedesco did a dog act on them! Loyalty is not part of the course with the NRL anymore and the salary cap! All fans should take every player in their sides with a grain of salt, as they are liable to transfer and do a dog act (like Woods and Tedesco did) at any time of the season!
Steve
Guest
I think if anything, Sironen needs to get a grip. The fans pay his wage and its a privilege for him to be allowed to do so.