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

Herald Sun

18-06-2025

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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.'
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Originally published as Aaron Woods responds to Billy Slater, says Maroons coach 'crossed a line' with comments