How must Aaron Woods, Mitchell Moses and, to a lesser extent, James Tedesco be feeling right now?
All three Wests Tigers 2017 deserters have somehow managed to find themselves in more or less the same position as last year, despite jumping the club’s fence to ‘greener’ pastures.
Alas, like some reserve-grade nightmare, lowly ladder positions, negative press, rumours of instability, cap dramas, player frictions and finger pointing have somehow followed the trio into their 2018 season and clubs.
But wait, wasn’t this supposed to be just a Wests Tigers problem? Last year, Woods told Fox Sports his decision to join the seemingly stable kennel walls of Canterbury “was a hard decision but at the Tigers there are a lot of ups and downs, a lot of instability”.
So having 14 players coming off contract and having only $800,000 to spend in 2019 was the stability you were after at Bankstown, was it, Woods? Good luck.
(Will Russell/Getty Images)
Woods was aware of the cap freedom the Tigers were going to have this season. The board had replaced Jason Taylor with the most respected and reputable coach available and had signalled their intentions to be active in the player market during the offseason.
To just assume that everything was going to be hunky-dory at another club was ignorant. To not have been able to see that the Tigers were at the end of a cycle where previous mistakes and mismanagement were coming to an end was visionless.
As a matter of fact, when considering the 2018 form of Woods, Moses and Tedesco, you’d have to wonder if they were all holding the Tigers back a cog or two.
Player efforts this year say that the Tigers playing group is happier. They have been strong, workman-like, hard and, dare I say, team-like. ‘No big three, no worries’ is the sub-slogan of the club’s 2018 ‘on the bus’ motto.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
And what about Mitchell Moses? After being a breath of fresh air for Parramatta last year, he seems to have sunk back into the more accustomed role of petulant blame-shifter. Only a couple of weeks ago, and not the first time in his career, Moses was heard screaming abuse on the field – but this time at a teammate.
And then there’s Tedesco – the biggest scalp of all and possibly the most disappointing in 2018 so far. His decision to go to Bondi was apparently not about the money; it was about playing with good players, finals football and Anthony Minichiello.
However, James hasn’t found his feet.
Many Roosters, Eels and Dogs fans are rightfully raising unimpressed eyebrows as they collectively scramble for their receipts and the NRL’s returns desk.
On the other side of the fence, Luke Brooks and his teammates are enjoying life without the dramas, the egos, the off-field snipes and the ‘instability’.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Ah Tedesco - Class? Perhaps because he learnt his lesson - Tedesco is the guy who agreed to terms with the Raiders and then back flipped in 2014.. Short memories or just selective to when it suits the Tigers? As for Moses being a non tackler? please. One of 6 halves/ or five-eights to have made 100 tackles this season. Certainly not sherking his responsibility. He is having a crack for Parra - maybe trying too hard and pushing too hard, but it isn't for lack of effort. Eels fans may be frustrated with his results, but they can't be unhappy with his effort. You Tiger fans seem to be quick and happy to challenge the character of these ex-players. Maybe Tigers fans should be enjoying their moment a little more quietly - just in case it doesn't last.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Just to be clear - You're saying Aaron Woods doesn't have the same character as a man who bit another plays ear.... All three left because it was a crap fight at the Tigers - Congrats the Tigers seem to be turning it around. But how can you blame players when they have a 10 year window to make money and have success for leaving a club with three home grounds, seemingly lost identity, a fractured Board Room, a rookie CEO and who over the last 5 years had finished 15th, 13th, 15th, 9th and 14th (and that 9th was really 10th in 2016). But for keyboard warriors to act all superior like they wouldn't have done or considered doing the same thing is just weak.
Freddy Leilua
Guest
That is the most deluded comment I've ever heard. Woods is the epitome of the terms big for nothing and handbrake runner. His nick name Sharon Woods is well deserved and he couldnt hold a candle to Graham, in terms of work ethic, character, or even intelligence. All three left because they didn't have the heart or courage to stick out the tough when Tigers were struggling so good riddens because karma is sweet from where the club and its fans are sitting!
Victoria Garry
Roar Rookie
While I totally agree that what the TIgers are doing this season is absolutely amazing and I'm not trying to say beating Melbourne twice isn't sensational, I will say that it isn't unheard of. In regular seasons, Manly beat them twice in 2015, Bulldogs twice in 2014, Roosters twice in 2014. In the whole seasons (including finals) Sharks beat them twice in 2016 and North Queensland beat them twice in 2015.
thomas c
Guest
It's just the nature of football. You can put together a team on paper that looks perfect, then look inferior to a workmanlike team with a feelgood factor. And Benji's been playing better than expected. I'd assumed he'd be at the tigers purely as a mentor/mascot, rather than leapfrogging one of the starting halves (at least for now). That you could describe the tigers as - thus far - a 'revelation' is a testament to no one expecting them to do this well. A team beating Melbourne twice is unheard of.
Victoria Garry
Roar Rookie
Nothing against you at all or against this article even but personally, I am so tired of hearing the same old Brooks vs Woods/Tedesco/Moses song and dance. Perhaps it was funny for the first two or three rounds but it is getting very tiresome now. I would hope Tigers fans would be enjoying the success of their team more than the failure of these three ex players (who they LOVED when they were at the club) but I'm not too sure they are and it's disappointing. I wish they would just let the ladder do the talking. Enjoy a little smirk here or there but I feel like so many Tigers fans are going out of their way to celebrate the misfortunes of these three players. They are out of your team now, they don't get to enjoy the success your team is experiencing so stop including them in your discussions. If you are so mad at them, they shouldn't deserve a second away from celebrating the Tigers. Again, this isn't aimed purely at you, just wanted to share my thoughts.
BigO
Guest
Ahh the contract offers put to the three players by the Tigers was better than what they signed for at their respective new clubs.
Hermini
Guest
Agree wholeheartedly !!! Teddy was & is a gentleman for not talking down the Tigers ?????
Chris Dowtonluv
Roar Rookie
Well said mr brown every word true especially Sharon
Tony S
Guest
Go the tigers. Big4 ¡ what big 4 ¿ We have team now
Kelvin Johnson
Roar Rookie
You complain that 3 good players leave your club, but don't realise that if those players had stayed, then your club wouldn't have been able to recruit as they have. You booed Tedesco in round 1 and then say he is the only one that's missed. Every time he touches the ball you should be cheering because by him leaving you now have the team you have. You are happy to call ex players "deserters" but Newsflash guess what, the new recruits came from another club! I am sure all 3 players would be happy to see their old club and mates doing well. I don't think they have a problem I think you are the one with a problem.
Rick
Guest
Players who show so little respect for the club that brought them to the heights they reached deserve neither respect or success. Moses is not as good as he or his uncle think he is. Woods has never really shown outstanding form and it was surprising to see him in rep footy. Tedesco has great skill but isn't demonstrating it at the moment. He is the only one that the Tigers should ever seriously consider taking back. That however would require a major mea culpa on his part.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Indeed.Stats don't tell the whole story.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Woods is being paid on Super Coach stats. His play the balls are slow, his marker defence can be very tardy and was completely found out as a leader. He's a decent prop but nowhere near the price tag he has commanded, as it stands now, I'd take Jems over Woods any day; you can find another Woods but could you find another Graham?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Another stat... success follows Graham wherever he goes, meanwhile Woods seems to coincidentally be a part of teams that are mediocre. No doubt, who I’d have at my club if the choice was there.
Joey b
Guest
Parra and the dogs have no chance. They'll be battling for the spoon by the season's end
Joey b
Guest
I should also add that I rejoiced when Jason Taylor got sacked. He was the worst signing in the history of the West Tigers. Pathetic little man.
Joey b
Guest
I think you've summed it up pretty well. As a Tigers fan, I'm thrilled Moses is no longer at the club. I've never had a lower opinion of a footballer. He is a germ. Bad player, worse person. Woods, don't miss at all. He is a cat, and a dog. Teddy was the only one I was sad to see go, but I'm not missing him either. I'm happy with a team of honest, hard working first graders and a good coach who won't tolerate over inflated egos.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Here here, T!
Big Daddy
Guest
Good luck with the third. Maybe they were poorly advised would be Apr.