Dragons on verge of player swap with former Origin star

Aaron Woods is reportedly off to his fifth NRL club as part of a player swap that will see the former Origin star make an immediate move.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 14: Aaron Woods of the Dragons in action during the round 22 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the St George Illawarra Dragons at GIO Stadium, on August 14, 2022, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Aaron Woods is reportedly close to joining his fifth NRL club as part of a player swap involving the St George Illawarra Dragons and Manly Sea Eagles.

That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who broke the news of the move on Saturday morning, with Woods poised to make the switch effective immediately.

The Dragons were first linked to promising Sea Eagles duo Viliame Fifita and Alec Tuitavake earlier this month, although Manly CEO Tony Mestrov denied it would eventuate at the time.

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Aaron Woods is reportedly on the move. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

“There has been no release at this stage,” Mestrov told News Corp.

“At this stage it will go before our retention committee.”

It was looking increasingly likely that the Dragons would need to give something up to get the young duo and The Daily Telegraph reports the Red V have settled on moving Woods.

Woods, who has played for the Tigers, Bulldogs, Sharks and Dragons during his career, has yet to make it into the latter’s NRL side this year.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold reportedly sees Woods as a valuable asset who can help teach the team’s young forward pack.

Originally published as Dragons on verge of player swap with former Origin star