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

NRL icon Ray Warren admits to struggles with retirement: ‘Like cutting off my left arm'
NRL icon Ray Warren admits to struggles with retirement: ‘Like cutting off my left arm'

7NEWS

time2 hours ago

  • 7NEWS

NRL icon Ray Warren admits to struggles with retirement: ‘Like cutting off my left arm'

Rugby league commentary icon Ray Warren has revealed he is still coming to terms with retirement after four years out of the game. The 82-year-old, widely regarded as the voice of the sport in Australia, called time on his 55-year career in 2021 after 99 State of Origins and 45 NRL grand finals. Since his departure, Warren has resisted several calls to come out of retirement, including a big push to have him come back for a one-off Origin match last year. Despite that, the man known as 'Rabs' said on Monday he is yet to find peace with being on the sidelines. 'I'm not handling that (retirement) all that well to be honest with you, because leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my left arm,' he told 2GB. 'It was a playground; I don't think I ever went to work. I went to play, but I don't think I ever got Mondayitis. 'But it's gone now. I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go anyway.' Warren says people do still come up to him in the street to tell him they miss his voice, and that he has toyed with the idea of a return if he were able to call from home. 'Oh yeah, and it's flattering and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away, and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' he said. 'That's the long and the short of it. But now I sit down in the lounge room and think I might be able to do a call from home. 'But it was a fabulous time in life for me — it went 55 years! It was a great five and a half decades.' Games being called remotely has become more prominent with some broadcasters since the COVID-19 pandemic, given its necessity at that time. Seven remains in-stadium, though, for every game it covers across all flagship sports. Asked how his health was generally, Warren said: 'I've been OK, I mean, if I start telling you of the illnesses I've got, we'd be here for a couple of days. But no, I'm going OK.'

NRL news, updates: Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement as he slightly opens door ajar to return under one condition
NRL news, updates: Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement as he slightly opens door ajar to return under one condition

Courier-Mail

time2 hours ago

  • Courier-Mail

NRL news, updates: Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement as he slightly opens door ajar to return under one condition

Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Rugby league icon Ray Warren has revealed he is not handling retirement well and has thought about coming out of retirement if he could call from his own loungeroom. Warren, 82, retired in 2021 after calling 99 State of Origin games and 45 NRL Grand Finals and resisted calls for him to come out of retirement to call one final Origin game last year. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Known as the 'voice of rugby league', Warren's retirement in 2021 saddened the sporting world, namely fans of rugby league, and ever since there have been murmurs he could be convinced to make a return calling major events such as the NRL Grand Final or State of Origin. And on Monday, in a stunning revelation Warren said he had given it some thought as he opened up about why he decided to retire in the first place. 'I am not handling it (my retirement) all that well to be honest,' Warren told 2GB's Mark Levy. You can listen to Ray Warren open up about his retirement in the player above. Ray Warren says retiring felt like cutting off his arm. Image: Getty 'Leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my arm. (But) I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go.' Warren also floated the idea that he could call a game from home, but fears it may tarnish his legacy. 'It is flattering (that people want him to come out of retirement) and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' Warren said. 'That's the long and the short of it (why he retired). But now I sit down and think I might be able to do a call from home.' Thurston wins first Golden Point Grand Final Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 44.36% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:22 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Thurston wins first Golden Point Grand Final more field... more goal as the Cowboys won their first NRL title. Johnathon Thurston kicked the winning... ... more Games being called from TV or radio studios thousands of kilometres away from the venue has been something that has become increasingly popular in mainstream media since Covid. For many games in various sports, commentators no longer call from the grounds, instead preferring offices where they can access more angles. So if Warren was open to returning, it would be possible for him to finally call his 100th State of Origin game or make a special appearance from the comfort of his own home. It would also be something that would undoubtedly attract even more viewers, with the commentating legend adored by the rugby league world. Ray Warren is a rugby league icon. Picture. Phil Hillyard Ray Warren in his element. Picture. Phil Hillyard Is it likely that Ray Warren comes out of retirement? The chances of it happening are slim. When Warren was cornered about potentially calling an Origin match in 2024, he promptly shut it down. 'I'd rule that out (a commentary return) almost without any thought at all,' Warren said on Triple M. 'I had a great career – 55 years. At the end of 2021, I decided that that would do me, why would I take that risk of undoing whatever good I might have done.' But never say never, NRL fans can at least dare to dream. Originally published as 'Not handling it well': Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement

‘Not handling it well': Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement
‘Not handling it well': Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement

News.com.au

time4 hours ago

  • News.com.au

‘Not handling it well': Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement

Rugby league icon Ray Warren has revealed he is not handling retirement well and has thought about coming out of retirement if he could call from his own loungeroom. Warren, 82, retired in 2021 after calling 99 State of Origin games and 45 NRL Grand Finals and resisted calls for him to come out of retirement to call one final Origin game last year. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Known as the 'voice of rugby league', Warren's retirement in 2021 saddened the sporting world, namely fans of rugby league, and ever since there have been murmurs he could be convinced to make a return calling major events such as the NRL Grand Final or State of Origin. And on Monday, in a stunning revelation Warren said he had given it some thought as he opened up about why he decided to retire in the first place. 'I am not handling it (my retirement) all that well to be honest,' Warren told 2GB's Mark Levy. You can listen to Ray Warren open up about his retirement in the player above. 'Leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my arm. (But) I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go.' Warren also floated the idea that he could call a game from home, but fears it may tarnish his legacy. 'It is flattering (that people want him to come out of retirement) and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' Warren said. 'That's the long and the short of it (why he retired). But now I sit down and think I might be able to do a call from home.' Games being called from TV or radio studios thousands of kilometres away from the venue has been something that has become increasingly popular in mainstream media since Covid. For many games in various sports, commentators no longer call from the grounds, instead preferring offices where they can access more angles. So if Warren was open to returning, it would be possible for him to finally call his 100th State of Origin game or make a special appearance from the comfort of his own home. It would also be something that would undoubtedly attract even more viewers, with the commentating legend adored by the rugby league world. Is it likely that Ray Warren comes out of retirement? The chances of it happening are slim. When Warren was cornered about potentially calling an Origin match in 2024, he promptly shut it down. 'I'd rule that out (a commentary return) almost without any thought at all,' Warren said on Triple M. 'I had a great career – 55 years. At the end of 2021, I decided that that would do me, why would I take that risk of undoing whatever good I might have done.' But never say never, NRL fans can at least dare to dream.

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