After 270 matches, 14 State of Origin appearances and 17 Tests for the Australian Kangaroos, Aaron Woods has announced his retirement from the NRL.
Confirming he will hang up the boots at the end of the season, Woods' retirement comes after stints with the Wests Tigers, Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks, St George Illawarra Dragons and Manly Sea Eagles.
The front-rower, who amassed 270 first grade games as well as 14 State of Origin appearances and 17 Tests, will retire from the sport at season's end.
At one stage, Woods was regarded as the best prop in the game, winning the Dally M positional award and almost pipped Johnathan Thurston for the top gong in 2015.
The 33-year-old was part of the NSW team that snapped an eight-year Origin drought against the Maroons, while also tasting World Cup success in 2017 with Australia.
In a classy announcement on Triple M's The Rush Hour on Tuesday afternoon, Woods revealed last weekend's reserve grade clash for Blacktown would be his last.
"After 14 long years, I will be calling it quits at the end of the season," he said.
"I'll still be training at the moment, filling a position and helping the boys [at Manly] get ready. I did play my last game probably on the weekend for Blacktown Workers, I had a lot of my family and friends there and kept it quiet to myself.
"It was one of those moments where you walk of the field and it was like 'oh, it's not really gonna happen again'. I'm not really one to cry, I didn't cry on my wedding day.
"But when I did come off the field the first person I saw was my eldest son Buster and my middle daughter Coco and it hit me that I won't be playing in front of them again. It was the last time I will walk off the field with a pair of footy boots on.
"It's just been a rollercoaster journey. Growing up as a kid in Leichhardt, I wanted nothing more than to be a rugby league player.
"This whole journey has been like a dream come true. There's ups and there's a lot of downs. I've made rep teams, played for NSW and Australia, I've been dropped, I've done nearly everything in the game and I wouldn't change a thing."
Woods received an outpouring of well wishes from past teammates and coaches including David Klemmer, Shane Flanagan and Todd Payten on the radio broadcast.
A Career Defined by Hard Work and Dedication
Born and raised in New South Wales, the Leichhardt Juniors junior made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers in 2011 after helping lead the club to the U20s Grand Final two years earlier.
His career would not only see him become a fan-favourite for every team he ran out for but was also one of the best front-rowers in the competition during his prime, seeing him represent both the NSW Blues and Australian Kangaroos.
Despite retiring from the NRL at the end of the season, the 33-year-old will stay around the rugby league game on radio and television, where he has become a commentator and pundit.
A Journeyman Prop's Farewell
The journeyman prop forward will retire at the end of this season, having achieved his childhood dream of playing for Manly in 2023.
Woods made two first grade appearances off the bench for the Sea Eagles this season, spending the majority of his final year playing for Blacktown Workers in the NSW Cup.
His last game for the reserve side came in their 40-30 loss to Canterbury on Saturday, with the Workers having failed to make finals.
"I had a lot of my family and friends there, sort of just kept it quiet to myself," Woods told Triple M Rush Hour on Tuesday.
"I'm not really one to cry - I didn't cry on my wedding day or nothing. But when I did come off the field, I think the first person I saw was my eldest son, Buster, and my middle daughter, Coco, and it just sort of hit me that I won't be playing in front of them anymore."
Woods made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in 2011 aged 20, and fast became a fan favourite with his shaggy beard and long locks.
He forced his way into the Tigers' starting side in his second season, which he capped by winning the Dally M Prop of the Year award.
His form was awarded with a NSW State of Origin call-up in 2013 followed by a Kangaroos nod the year after.
"It's just the roller coaster journey," Woods said.
"As a kid growing up in Leichhardt, I wanted nothing other than to be a rugby league player."
Woods eventually racked up 146 appearances for the joint venture club before moving to the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2018.
He lasted half a year before a mid-season switch to Cronulla, where he fell short of making a grand final three years in a row.
After a brief stint at St George Illawarra in 2022, he signed with the Sea Eagles in 2023 and played 17 games for his boyhood club.
Woods played alongside the likes of NRL legends and current coaches Benji Marshall and Todd Payten in his time at the Tigers, who he credits as major influences in his career.
"To go out and run along those blokes and to fulfil a childhood dream ... it was just unreal," he said.
"This whole journey, it's been just a dream come true for me.
"There's ups, there's a lot of downs. I've done nearly everything in the game and I wouldn't change it for a thing. You learn so many lessons in life from it."
A Legacy of Strength and Resilience
Woods' retirement marks the end of an era for the NRL, but his impact on the game will continue to be felt for years to come. He was a true warrior on the field, always willing to put his body on the line for his team. He was also a popular figure off the field, known for his down-to-earth personality and willingness to give back to the community.
While Woods may be hanging up his boots, he will undoubtedly remain a part of the rugby league landscape. His passion for the game is undeniable, and he is sure to find success in his new role as a commentator and pundit.
The NRL will be a lesser place without Aaron Woods, but his legacy of strength and resilience will continue to inspire players and fans alike.
