logo
Aaron Woods responds to Billy Slater, says Maroons coach ‘crossed a line' with comments

Aaron Woods responds to Billy Slater, says Maroons coach ‘crossed a line' with comments

Herald Sun18-06-2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Aaron Woods has responded to Billy Slater's emotional press conference response to his 'grub' sledge, saying it was been 'blown out of proportion'.
Woods said on his Triple M Breakfast show the press conference crossed a line, as the fallout between the NSW great and Queensland coach threatened to overshadow State of Origin II.
Speaking on Wednesday morning with co-hosts Beau Ryan and Cat Lynch, Woods said he stood by the original comments he made last Tuesday but believes Slater's decision to invoke former Maroons coach Paul Green – who took his own life in 2022 – was 'completely unnecessary'.
'Obviously, I had those comments I made last Tuesday, and look, I stand by them,' Woods said.
'It's part of something I said in the lead-up to the game. When you say something about a person, that person is owed a right to reply. That person is Billy Slater. He's had seven days to reply.'
Slater had launched into a passionate defence during a press conference in Perth on Tuesday, calling Woods' insult 'degrading' and highlighting the responsibility that comes with working in the media.
'When you degrade someone personally in a derogatory manner, you probably don't deserve one of those privileged positions that you're all in, that we're all in,' Slater said.
'When you hold a position in the media or in our game, I feel that's a privilege and with that privilege comes a responsibility.
'I sit in that position most weeks and you amplify your voice to millions of people.
'You're not talking to your mates in the pub.'
He made an emotional point about how public criticism can weigh on individuals.
'You don't know what people are going through, although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn't be,' he said.
'Maybe our last coach didn't,' referring to Green — who took his life by suicide in 2022.
While Woods acknowledged many of Slater's points — particularly about media responsibility — he felt one remark overstepped.
'One particular comment that he did make, I just thought Billy went a little bit over the boundary,' Woods said.
'I just think it was completely unnecessary for the situation.'
Co-host Beau Ryan also weighed in, saying Slater's comments 'took a dark turn' and the week-long build-up had spiralled beyond reasonable commentary.
'Grub might mean something different in Queensland,' Ryan said.
'But it's been the only thing people have been talking about before the game, and that's not right — the series is on the line.'
Woods said he believed Slater may have used the moment to rally his players ahead of a must-win match, with Queensland needing to avoid a fourth consecutive Origin defeat for the first time in nearly three decades.
'You look at the pressure he's under … honestly, it's Origin, we're always under pressure,' Woods said.
'I don't really care about Queensland. I've got a huge bet on the line with NSW. That's what I'm focused on.'
Woods said he had no intention of apologising, but also didn't want the saga to distract from the game itself — with Origin returning to Perth's Optus Stadium and expansion of the NRL on the agenda.
'I want the players to go out there and show off what a spectacle this game is,' Beau Ryan added.
'It's over now, from my point of view. No one's apologising. No one's meeting in the middle. You're a New South Welshman, he's a Queenslander. May the best team win.'
The controversy kicked off when Woods' criticised Slater on Triple M radio following the axing of captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
'To me that's p**s poor form from Billy Slater,' he said.
'After Game I in your press conference you said it wasn't about the personnel, you said you didn't play too well.
'You've come out and axed your captain Daly Cherry-Evans. You've said it wasn't a scapegoat, but mate it's a scapegoat.
'It's so funny because you watch these blokes up north and they say we don't get Origin and they use this pick and stick mentality.
'Well, Billy, you've just turned on your skipper.
'I want to see the real Billy Slater come out – the grub that we know of.
'This is a bloke who kicked John Skandalis in the head and got a six-week suspension.'
Do you know more? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
Originally published as Aaron Woods responds to Billy Slater, says Maroons coach 'crossed a line' with comments
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Storm skipper Harry Grant snatches golden point thriller over Penrith
Storm skipper Harry Grant snatches golden point thriller over Penrith

News.com.au

time3 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Storm skipper Harry Grant snatches golden point thriller over Penrith

Harry Houdini! Storm skipper Harry Grant came up with a moment for the ages to seal a 22-18 win in golden point over the Panthers, ending the premiers' nine-game winning streak. With the game on the line, all of the Panthers' eyes were on the Storm's likely field goal kickers, Cameron Munster and Jonah Pezet. Grant spotted that and took his opportunity, with the star No. 9 making a darting run for the try-line and scoring the matchwinner under the posts. It capped a thrilling grand final rematch that had just about everything. It all started with a red-hot first half from the Panthers, who went into the break with a 12-4 lead — and a 100 per cent completion rate. Isaiah Papali'i opened the scoring after burrowing over from dummy-half before Xavier Coates responded to level the scores at 4-all. However there'll be plenty made of Coates' try after replays showed he knocked on into Dylan Edwards then regathered before grounding the ball. Penrith snatched the lead when Nathan Cleary backed himself and scored. But the Storm came out firing in the second half with Coates coming up with a magical five minutes. The Melbourne winger collected a loose ball and ran 65 metres to score a stunning try before leaping over Brian To'o minutes later to bat the ball back for Joe Chan to score. Those two big moments helped the Storm snatch the lead, until Scott Sorensen scored a crucial try to get the Panthers ahead again. And true to form, the Storm hit back five minutes later through Marion Seve — who was rocking protective goggles due to an eye injury he's returned from in recent weeks. As the clock wound down, the Panthers got themselves in prime field position and Cleary took a shot at field goal only for Moses Leota to be penalised for blocking. Munster attempted a field goal in the final 90 seconds, which fell short, while Cleary attempted two more — one of which was charged down by an epic Trent Loiero effort, sending the game to golden point. Grant then proved the Storm hero in one of the best games of the season.

Defender Luke Beecken set to make AFL debut for Lions against Dockers
Defender Luke Beecken set to make AFL debut for Lions against Dockers

News.com.au

time7 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Defender Luke Beecken set to make AFL debut for Lions against Dockers

Luke Beecken will make his AFL debut on Friday night against Fremantle in one of four changes to the Brisbane Lions team beaten by Sydney last weekend. Selected by Brisbane in last year's mid-season draft from SANFL club Woodville West Torrens, Beecken has been rewarded for his good form in the Lions' VFL team. The 24-year-old rebounding defender joins fit-again pair Ryan Lester and Brandon Starcevich, and recalled forward Sam Day as inclusions in a Brisbane side still needing a win to guarantee itself a finals berth. The quartet replace defender Tom Doedee, who has knee soreness, and omitted trio Henry Smith, Will McLachlan and Dev Robertson. Lester's return from concussion for the clash at Optus Stadium was expected, while fellow defender Starcevich did enough at training this week to prove he had recovered from hamstring injury that led to him being a late withdrawal from the Lions side that lost by two points to the Swans at the Gabba. Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale (quad) and forward Kai Lohmann (calf) remain on sidelined. Neale's ongoing absence will give teenager Levi Ashcroft another opportunity to spend more time in the heart of the Lions midfield alongside his older brother Will. 'Before the game (against Sydney) I knew I'd be playing a little bit of midfield so I went up to him and had a little chat about that,' the younger Ashcroft said. 'We thought that was pretty cool. It was a bit of a dream of ours to be able to start in the middle together at some stoppages and centre-bounces. 'It's a really cool feeling and I can't wait to do it (on Friday night) again. 'I've been on the wing and playing half-forward, but I'm definitely looking forward to playing in the midfield with some of the more experienced guys, and showing what I can do in there.' Ashcroft said the reigning premiers were 'looking forward to bouncing back' against the Dockers. 'We're feeling really good,' he said. 'We had a bit of a tough week last week. I thought we did really well in the contest and a few other things, so we were a bit unlucky there. 'We didn't play poorly. We just had a few bad moments or bad quarters, but we've just got to stay connected, play together and continue to play our way because we know our best can beat the best and beat any team in this competition.'

Cairns bids to be Hawthorn's second home once Tasmania enters the AFL
Cairns bids to be Hawthorn's second home once Tasmania enters the AFL

ABC News

time7 hours ago

  • ABC News

Cairns bids to be Hawthorn's second home once Tasmania enters the AFL

Cairns is pitching itself as a potential second home for AFL powerhouse Hawthorn, should the Hawks' long-standing deal with the Tasmanian government end in two years. Football powerbrokers in Far North Queensland want to lock in regular AFL men's premiership matches, which Cairns last hosted in 2022. AFL Cairns and the Queensland government already have a three-year deal with Hawthorn, whose AFLW side will play a third home game in as many years at Cazalys Stadium next month. AFL Cairns and Cazalys Stadium general manager Craig Lees said he made the case for more elite men's football when AFL chief Andrew Dillon visited Far North Queensland last month. Mr Lees said Cairns wanted to replace Launceston as the Hawks' interstate base once the Tasmania Devils entered the AFL — a move which could bring up to four home-and-away matches a year to the far north from 2028. "That is our focus, to try and see if we can unlock those destination games," he said. Hawthorn has publicly declared its desire to continue hosting matches in Tasmania even after the Devils enter the competition, despite opposition from Devils CEO Brendon Gale. The Hawks have been contacted for comment. Cairns is also exploring the idea of teaming up with the Northern Territory, which intends to bid for a licence to become the AFL's 20th team should the code continue to expand. Mr Lees confirmed he had already had discussions with AFLNT. "I don't think a one-out 20th licence in Cairns works," he said. "However, we are happy to play our role in what that may look like in the future." Cairns Mayor Amy Eden, who also met with Mr Dillon, is a former Territorian and has backed a partnership with the NT. "One of the things we pitched to Andrew Dillon was maybe a northern Gather Round, where we share it with Darwin," she said. "We are quite regional in that sense, and if we can produce world-class events and do it together, then it just cements both of our successes in the future." Cazalys Stadium is hosting a Twenty20 cricket series decider between Australia and South Africa on Saturday night, ahead of a one-day international on Tuesday. Mr Lees said another goal was to secure Olympic cricket if the sport was added to the 2032 games program. Assistant state tourism minister Bree James said the government was "unashamedly chasing sporting events" to bring to Queensland. "I think all options are on the table and I think our minister for sport will be looking at any negotiations he can that improves the sport we have in our state," she said. One of the Barron River MP's constituents, 12-year-old Ollie Hourigan, has launched an online petition to bring an AFL team to Cairns. "I've been putting that on my social media for him, so I'm very supportive of having an elite team like that here in Far North Queensland," Ms James said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store