Former NSW Origin and Test forward Aaron Woods appears set to continue his NRL career after being offered a supplementary contact with Manly.
The 32-year-old Woods joined the Sea Eagles from St George Illawarra in the early rounds of last season, and his experience and “influence on the locker room” prompted the northern beaches club to reach out about a deal for 2024.
Woods, who commanded $800,000 a season midway through his career as one of the game’s highest-paid props, will earn only $80,000 plus $3000 match payments. Even though supplementary contracts sit outside the top-30 playing list, Woods would still be available for selection from round one.
Woods, who started at his beloved Wests Tigers before stints at Canterbury, Cronulla and the Dragons, is expected to be joined by Nathan Brown, another former NSW representative who is expected to sign off on his own cut-price deal in the coming days.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold loved working with Woods who is steadily transitioning into a media career, but still has a deep desire to add to his 267 NRL games.
“Woodsy really enjoyed his footy last year, he was a great influence in the locker room, he’s played 17 Tests for Australia and 14 Origin games, so he has that experience,” Seibold told this masthead.
Bring on 2024: Fan favourite Aaron Woods is expected to sign a supplementary deal with Manly.Credit: Getty
“He understands he’s at the back end of his career, and he’s transitioning into the media with a couple of different organisations.
“But he’s a great role model, and the way he trains, he’d be a great asset to the group.
“We’re really happy he wants to go around again and compete for a spot – ultimately he wants to play in the NRL, and we’ll give him that opportunity.”
The Sea Eagles middle men include club favourite Jake Trbojevic, Josh Aloiai, Tof Sipley, Taniela Paseka, Matt Lodge – who is expected back from a knee injury by round eight – Corey Waddell and Ethan Bullemor.
Nathan Brown is expected to sign off on a Manly deal this week.Credit: NRL Photos
As for Brown’s likely arrival, Seibold said: “We’re looking to bring him in because he has experience and aggression, but he also creates competition for spots.
“We’re in that cluster of teams that finished last season on the ladder from fifth through to 14th, and to break that cluster you need depth, that competition and experienced middles.”
Manly return to training on Thursday, including Tom Trbojevic and new signing Luke Brooks, who spent five seasons at the Tigers with Woods.
Meanwhile, the record 30-0 loss against New Zealand on Saturday will do little to cruel Mal Meninga’s hopes of a coaching contract extension with the Kangaroos.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is keen for Meninga to remain in the top job for 2024 and, more than likely, the 2026 World Cup.
It was only Australia’s third loss in 26 Tests with Meninga as coach.
“I think what we’ve done in the past has held me in pretty good stead,” Meninga said.
“There’s only one way to keep people quiet, and that’s to do well. If anything, people do not want to finish on a note like that. Like the players, you want to come back and redeem yourself. That’s the competitive world we’re in.”
V’landys said of sticking with Meninga: “The thing about Mal is he has instilled pride back into the green and gold jumper, and also a great role model. And his record speaks for itself.
“We’ll sit down and discuss his future. It’s up to him as much as it is anyone else.”
South Sydney forward Cameron Murray missed the final game in Hamilton because of a hamstring injury, but received the Harry Sunderland Medal as Australia’s player of the series, a prestigious gong voted for by Meninga and the coaching staff.
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