There is also talk that the Suaalii deal depends in part on the size of the code’s TV deal. We checked with RA, which said the benefactors had not indicated they wanted their money redirected. Some money is coming from RA’s Rugby Foundation - a group that was established in 2015 and provides for high performance and community projects. Woods will be the key figure in the halfback academy that the Dogs are running – a similar academy set up by Gould at Penrith resulted in the development of Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo was an obvious attraction for Woods and no less a judge than Brad Fittler picked Woods in his emerging Blues squad a year ahead of previous plans such is his talent.įurthermore, Bulldogs GM Phil Gould took a personal interest in a player the Dogs hope can be one they build a team around in years to come, much like Penrith have done with Nathan Cleary.
He was being courted by both codes, with the Bulldogs and Swans in a civilised battle for his services. Woods, a rising halfback star, is considered one of, if not the, hottest young players in league and AFL. Woods is contracted to the Bulldogs for next year and in the last few days he and his family have committed to a long-term deal with club. The Bulldogs have secured one of the hottest prospects across the NRL and AFL, beating the Swans to rising star Mitchell Woods.
