Manly Sea Eagles are tipped to make a $600k play for Tigers and Origin prop Woods

NRL clubs are already starting to discuss outlaying up to $600,000 a season to sign Wests Tigers and NSW Origin prop Aaron Woods.   

aaron woods

NRL clubs are already starting to discuss outlaying up to $600,000 a season to sign Wests Tigers and NSW Origin prop Aaron Woods.

But there may be a hitch.

The Daily Telegraph understands several clubs, one said to be grand finalists Manly, have held internal talks about signing Woods, who comes off contract at the Tigers after next season. 

However, Woods, despite being just 22, has bad knees and recently underwent stem cell surgery.

He didn’t play again after this year’s Origin series and ruled himself out of contention for the World Cup in England.

Woods, though, is one of the game’s premier front-rowers. He is robust, tough and a player who will only improve.

He is on a deal worth about $300,000, but that could nearly double by the end of 2014.

The only issue is how Woods’ knees will stand-up long-term.

Woods loves the Tigers and grew up above a newsagent on Norton St, Leichhardt. He would be reluctant to leave.

But in modern football, money talks and if a club like Manly could offer $600,000 a year, it would be difficult for the Tigers to keep him. 

The Sea Eagles will be without props Joe Galuvao (retired), George Rose (Melbourne) and Brent Kite (Penrith) for next season and will be looking to bolster their line up. 

Co-skipper Jason King will return in 2014 from injury, but his future beyond next season is undecided.

Woods could make a huge impact at Brookvale.

When NSW legend Steve Roach was asked about Woods before his Origin debut, he was unequivocal in his praise.

"He’s the type of bloke who’ll get in there and he’ll be in the Blues set-up for the next eight years. You watch him go," Roach said.