Gould’s emphatic name on teenager prodigy after intriguing sight

Phil Gould has moved to mood expectancies relating to Bulldogs youngster Mitchell Woods, announcing the membership is “not rushing him” against a primary grade debut.

The younger halfback, who handiest grew to become 19 final week, is without doubt one of the absolute best wearing abilities within the nation, having excelled at rugby league, rugby union and AFL at schoolboy stage.

Woods opted to knock again hobby from rival codes to decide to Canterbury long-term in what has quite a few lovers eagerly expecting an NRL debut.

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A couple of heads had been grew to become on Tuesday afternoon when Woods used to be named within the prolonged Bulldogs squad for his or her spherical 12 fixture – the primary time trainer Cameron Ciraldo had executed so.

However, talking on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus forward of the Dolphins conflict on Thursday night time, any recommendation Woods could be decided on had been close down by way of the membership boss.

“No, not this week,” Gould mentioned.

“He was named in the extended squad and he’s actually been travelling with the team and staying with the team in camp over the last few weeks.

“He’s simply getting the run of what it is like in skilled soccer.”

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Woods is only a handful of games back from an injury layoff, which saw him deal with hamstring issues during his first full pre-season with the main NRL squad.

Since his initial return in time for the SG Ball semi finals, Woods has moved into the U21s Jersey Flegg side and orchestrated two wins for the Dogs, pushing them into sixth spot on the ladder.

It’s expected that Woods will get a taste of NSW Cup at some stage this year, but Gould is again reminding everyone to be patient as the club plays the long game.

“He’s doing neatly, however he had a disrupted low season with a few hamstring accidents, simply put on and tear from his first complete low season,” Gould, the general manager of football, said.

“He’s nonetheless handiest younger, however he is appearing truly certain indicators. We’re no longer speeding him in any respect, there is no want to rush him – as I at all times say, the occupation of a pro playmaker is between the ages of 25 and 35 and he is nonetheless SG Ball, he is nonetheless 19.

“He’s got a long way to go, we don’t want to rush him – but we won’t hold him back either if he shows positive signs and he’s certainly showing positive signs.

“His personal shape is creating truly effectively within the decrease grades, however it’s going to take time.” 

Woods performed a starring position in final 12 months’s U19s State of Origin victory for the NSW Blues, with teammates together with Dragons prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Eels ahead Sam Tuivaiti since incomes first grade debuts with their respective golf equipment.