Wests Tigers fans have every right to boo Aaron Woods: Peter FitzSimons

Sports Sunday panellist Peter FitzSimons has leapt to the defence of Wests Tigers fans and their vocal opposition to Aaron Woods’ decision to move to Canterbury in 2018.

In the first of his ‘Five minutes with Fitzy’ videos for Wide World of Sports, the former Wallabies second-rower and now author and columnist, said the very passion now directed towards Woods is what had resulted in him enjoying the fortunate lifestyle he now does.

Woods was first subjected to jeers from Tigers' fans in the clash with Canterbury. They were repeated with the Tigers met Cronulla last weekend.

''Here is the way it works. People like Aaron Woods, all of those stars, they live off the passion of the fans,’’ FitzSimons told Emma Freedman.

''Where does their money come from? Where do their fast cars come from? Where do their fancy clothes come from? Where does their million dollars in the bank come from?

''It come from fans living, and breathing, and loving the Tigers.

''So, when the fans see that the person that they love doesn’t love the jersey the way they love it they have every right to turn on the stars.’’

FitzSimons did, however, draw the line when it came to reports of things being thrown at Woods and other departing players.

''They do not have the right to throw things and to be violent like that,’’ he said.

''I wish they wouldn’t put up nasty signs and the rest of it, but there’s no question they have right because they feel the passion, they feel betrayed.

''So even though that is hurtful to the likes of Aaron Woods that the fans turn on them, that is the right of the fans. That is the core passion behind the Tigers.’’

Woods is one of three members of the Wests Tigers’ ''big four’’ that won’t be with the club in 2018.

Mitchell Moses has signed with Parramatta and James Tedesco is off to the Roosters.

Moses has made repeated requests to leave Tigers immediately and finish the 2017 season in blue and gold.

Halfback Luke Brooks is the sole member of the ‘’big four’’ to have re-signed with the club.

The club has signed Josh Reynolds from the Bulldogs and also replaced Jason Taylor as coach with Ivan Cleary.