Now Kent's chipped in
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-kent-fires-up-at-wests-tigers-over-fan-reaction/news-story/a3abac2b7dec74e6293f8de26f378578
RUGBY league journalist Paul Kent says Wests Tigers fans have every right to boo their own players, given the recent issues surrounding the club. The club looks to have lost the services of captain Aaron Woods, plus stars James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses, as the trio look to escape a frustrating period for the club.
Moses has already committed to the Parramatta Eels, while the Woods (Canterbury) and Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) moves are believed to be a formality. Fans loudly booed all three as they were introduced before Sunday’s clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Tigers’ officials wrote to the NRL club’s members on Monday to ask them to stop booing captain Woods.
The Wests Tigers captain was booed throughout the first half of Sunday’s 18-12 win over Canterbury.
Woods was also jeered when he received the Anzac Medal man-of-the-match award, after both he and fullback James Tedesco failed to meet a club-imposed deadline to re-sign last Friday.
Kent, speaking on Fox Sports NRL 360 program, said booing was the only way fans could speak out against the poor management decisions that have adversely affected the club in recent times.
He also slammed the club for their reaction, saying the poor response was indicative of club management.
“Isn’t it embarrassing that with everything going on at the Tigers, this is what they put their energy into,” Kent said. “They’re (the fans) entitled to boo. They pay their money, they can boo. How else do Wests Tigers voice their displeasure?”
New coach Ivan Cleary shared those same sentiments post-match, saying that fans paid their money and had a right to express their opinion, but the club on Monday labelled the behaviour “unfortunate” and
“We love the passion that our members and fans show week in, week out, but ask that this passion is
“Aaron is our captain, a local junior and again showed tonight his character in his professionalism and
Pascoe’s request was backed by chair Marina Go. “I’d like to call on them to support all of our players, whether they are going to be with Wests Tigers beyond this year or not,” Go wrote.
“Every player that pulls on the Wests Tigers jersey puts his all into every performance and they deserve the support of all Wests Tigers supporters.”
While Tigers fans had given up hope of retaining their captain on Sunday, teammate Elijah Taylor said he still believed he could be playing alongside Woods and Tedesco next year. And he says it’s a feeling shared among a number of the Tigers players. Woods has been linked to Canterbury while Tedesco is believed to have been won over by the Sydney Roosters, but both have denied putting pen to paper with either club.
Taylor said on Monday he still held out hope of the pair remaining at Concord. I’m not giving up — not at all,” he said. “I know a lot of the boys aren’t. “They’re loved here at the Wests Tigers but they’ve all got families they have to look after. “They all know that rugby league is a short career. The boys will support them no matter what they do.”
