In the latest of a special series on retiring NRL stars sponsored by Hostplus, we talk to Aaron Woods, who spent the final years of his career transitioning into the media and is embracing the opportunity to work on radio, TV and podcasts.
Aaron Woods spent his career determined to ensure he spoke up whenever he had a question.
So when former Sharks teammate Wade Graham started appearing on radio station Triple M, the prop was quick to pick his brain about what it was like to work in the media.
A few phone calls later, and Woods was in the studio taking it all in as the station was broadcast live to the world.
Fast forward to 2024 and the former representative star is a regular on Triple M and embracing retirement after he hung up the boots at the end of the season.
2040 all the way to the big show: Woods to celebrate 250
"Mark Geyer got moved to the Rush Hour in the afternoons and Wade Graham went in for his spot," Woods told pan66.com for the Hostplus Retirement Series. "I asked him how he got into it and he gave me the producer's number.
"I rung him up, said I'd love to see how it all works behind the scenes and it was something I'd love to do post footy to see what it's like. So I went in there for about 18 months, one thing led to another and I started doing more and more.
"If I didn't take that opportunity and ring the producer up, it probably would never have eventuated. I just backed myself and knew if you want something, go out and have a crack and do it."
Woods grew up a stone's throw from Leichhardt Oval and spent most of his childhood watching Balmain and Wests Tigers legends running around the famed ground.
A rugby league tragic, Woods was the kid who would wait by the team bus to ask players for autographs.
The Leichhardt Juniors product was also pretty handy on the field himself and rapidly progressed through the Balmain pathway.
Woods starred at every level and made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers the day after his 20th birthday, in the opening game of the 2011 season.
The prop went on to captain the club and represent both his state and country but that first game against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium remains his career highlight.
"Throughout my whole career it's hard to pick one individual moment but the highlight is still making my NRL debut and playing in front of my family and friends," Woods said.
"It was a dream that I'd wanted since I was four years old when I put on the Leichhardt Juniors jersey, all I wanted to do was play first grade rugby league. I was lucky enough to do that and then I got to captain the club I came through representing."
Having seen multiple teammates have their careers cut short by injury, Woods was determined to ensure he had a plan for life after football.
The prop participated in programs run by former Tigers teammate Chris Lawrence and earned a Cert 3 and Cert 4 fitness certificate and a Cert 3 in building construction.
While he enjoyed those courses, he knew he'd found his future career the moment he first walked into the Triple M studios.
"I've always wanted to do radio," Woods said. "It's something I've always loved and I love talking about the game. I've always wanted to be part of shows where you get to not just chew the fat but actually have an opinion.
"I'm lucky that I've worked hard in transitioning through the back end of my career with radio and television so if everything goes well, it should be a good career change for me."
Woods' desire to embrace life after football is shared with his desire to ensure emerging players enjoy a smooth transition into retirement.
Woods barges his way through
Having grown up in a working-class area, the 17-Test forward is aware of how many opportunities are provided to rugby league players throughout their careers.
So having asked Graham that crucial question all those years ago, Woods has a simple message for those currently playing in the NRL.
"When you get a bit older you realise there's a lot more to life than just footy," he said. "With rugby league you make a lot of connections and get a bit of a leg-up compared to a lot of other people in the real world.
"You need to go out there and talk to people. I always tell young blokes when we have sponsor nights or presentations to go out and introduce themselves because you don't know what might come from it.
"You might wonder why you're doing it, but you might meet a connection that you might go down a path of a career and you can give them a ring and see if they could help.
"The game's always there to help you. If you don't ask, you don't know, so you've just got to go out there and back yourself."
