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Wests Tigers chair Marina Go says it was disrespectful of fans to boo Aaron Woods

Michael Chammas
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Wests Tigers chairwoman Marina Go has pleaded with club fans not to disrespect the likely departing players after skipper Aaron Woods was booed by his own fans on Sunday.

The pre-game team announcement saw a number of fans turn on the Tigers captain, venting their frustration over his decision not to take up the club's offer before last Friday's deadline.

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Woods booed by own fans

Tigers Captain Aaron Woods has been booed by his own fans ahead of their clash with his expected new club, the Bulldogs.

"They shouldn't be booing our players," Go said. "If these guys choose to leave, our fans shouldn't be disrespecting them like that. I don't think they should have booed them."

Woods, who was awarded the ANZAC medal for man of the match, was given permission by coach Ivan Cleary not to front the post-match press conference.

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However, he did speak to several radio and television networks on field after the game, admitting he wasn't fazed by the booing from the fans.

"It's sort of footy. The thing is I haven't signed or agreed to anything," Woods said. "It's all speculation at the moment. They were all right during the game. We have the best fans – they are just passionate. Just keep coming, we will keep turning up all year ... we will keep ripping in."

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Woods was heavily criticised for meeting up with Canterbury players in the lead-up to the game against the Bulldogs.

He is, however, close friends with David Klemmer and Josh Reynolds, regularly catching up with players he has represented his state with in the past.

"I can't even go to a local coffee shop and bring one of my best mates some baby gear because he had a baby last week," Woods said. "The timing wasn't perfect but it is just rubbish. Klem is one of my best mates, I am a groomsman at his wedding. Grubby [Reynolds] is a family friend of my wife as well. It's a bit disappointing the way people look at things but it is what it is in this day and age.

"It's good to just get the win. It's been a big couple of weeks but the boys keep ripping in at training. To get that win is good for the spirits."

It's been an emotionally draining season for Woods, struggling to deal with the burden of seemingly never-ending contract negotiations. While he insists he hasn't agreed or signed a contract, it seems a foregone conclusion that he will end up at the Bulldogs and teammate James Tedesco at the Roosters next year.

"It's been a bit tough," Tedesco told Triple M. "I tried to not read in the media as much as I can and focus on the game ahead. It's probably going to continue for a few weeks and I just have to get through it. We haven't made a decision on our future yet. The media made it for me without us confirming it." 

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