Zac Woolford reveals frustration at Raiders exit

Former Canberra Raiders’ hooker Zac Woolford has revealed his frustration at the way his final years in the NRL unfolded.

Woolford starts a one-year deal with the Huddersfield Giants in 2025, having spent three years with the Raiders.

However, the 28-year-old was largely inactive for Canberra in 2024, playing just one game – a source of frustration for him, given a two-year deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons was blocked by the Raiders.

“It was frustrating in more ways than one,” he said.

“I had a deal to go to St George last year and two more years.

“I asked for a release just before Christmas, they denied it and I didn’t play all year.

“It was far from ideal.

“I don’t want to say anything bad because I loved my time there and have got a lot of good relationships I want to keep but it was very frustrating.

“In saying that, it led me here so I can’t complain.

“The main reason I wanted to come to Super League was that I felt I was in a box that I couldn’t get out of.

“Hopefully I can grow as a person and a player here.

“I definitely feel I’m capable of a lot more. I’m looking forward to proving that.”

Woolford’s new club have a steep hill to climb in this year’s Super League, with the club sitting on the eighth line of betting across most top sports bookmakers ($41).

The Wigan Warriors are favourites to win the title this season, paying $2.37 at Bet365, ahead of St Helens ($5.50) and Warrington ($6).

Woolford also shared that while he had the chance to sign for longer, he intends to play his time in Huddersfield by ear.

“There was an opportunity to sign for longer but I’ve got a partner and wanted to make sure she was comfortable,” he said.

“It would have been selfish of me to sign for a long period of time, drag her over here and she hated it.

“So far, so good. We’ve got friends who were already over here which has been really helpful.

“I’d like to spend a lot more time here. We just needed to make sure that it was all going to be good.”

The Raiders, meanwhile, are at long odds to have success in the upcoming NRL 2025.

Canberra sit on the last line of betting with Neds, marked as a $61 chance to win the Premiership alongside the Dragons.

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