Paul Sironen and Steve Roach say it’s understandable Aaron Woods signed with Bulldogs

TIGERS legends Paul Sironen and Steve Roach urge fans to blame the club for Aaron Woods leaving, not the player himself.

Blocker And Siro: Steve Roach (L) and Paul Sironen (R) formed a fearsome forward combination for the Balmain Tigers, NSW and Australia.

ANGRY Wests Tigers fans have been urged to lay off besieged captain Aaron Woods after a tumultuous couple of days has seen him share coffee with Canterbury players then quit the club.

Woods, who will join the Bulldogs from 2018, has been slammed on social media since The Daily Telegraph’s Thursday backpage showed him meeting with a group of senior Dogs players.

Within hours, it was also revealed the Leichhardt product would be leaving for Belmore, ironically the same team the Tigers face this Sunday at ANZ Stadium.

“But I don’t begrudge Woodsy,’’ Balmain great Paul Sironen said yesterday. “I actually feel for him.

Aaron Woods spotted having a catch-up with Josh Jackson and other Canterbury Bulldogs players at Roselands. Picture: Supplied

“He’s a wonderful homegrown talent. But it just got to the point where, as we lurched from one disaster to the next, he couldn’t take anymore. You could tell he was sick of the unrest.”

Fellow Tigers legend Steve Roach added: “I know Woody’s been copping a backlash from fans on social media, but the anger shouldn’t be aimed at him — it’s the administration.

“I certainly feel for what the fans are going through. It’s terrible.

“But rather than hammering the players, they should hammer the way the club is being run.

Blocker And Siro: Steve Roach (L) and Paul Sironen (R) formed a fearsome forward combination for the Balmain Tigers, NSW and Australia.

“I know Woodsy well and can tell you he agonised over the decision. Really struggled.

“He loves the joint. Loves Leichhardt. You’ve seen him spruiking the 2040 postcode … he didn’t want to go but they gave him no choice.”

Elsewhere, 1980s cult figure Terry Regan suggested Woods must now give up the captaincy, but stressed new Tigers coach Ivan Cleary was still the right man to save the club.

“He’s the right man, even if he’s walked straight into a hot pot,’’ Regan said. “I think he will be able to attract players and get the best out of some of the younger guys we have there.”