Corey Parker and Aaron Woods may now be colleagues on Channel Seven's new NRL football show, but that hasn't prevented the Broncos legend from declaring he would knock his former rival's head clean off in a physical confrontation. The former Brisbane and Queensland Origin star, who currently features on the panel for Seven's The Agenda Setters, made the explosive comments during his SEN radio program while responding to a listener's question about his on-field clashes.
Origin Rivalry and Radio Revelations
"I had some pretty good run-ins, mainly in the blue jersey when I played in Origin, with Greg Bird and Gal [Paul Gallen]," Parker revealed on Wednesday. "Birdy and I... we had a fight one time on the field. We threw everything at each other and nothing actually connected. It was just handbags from ten paces apart."
Parker's co-host Macca then posed the provocative question: "What about an all-Agenda Setters fight match-up with you and Sharon [Aaron] Woods? I would actually pay good money to see that."
From Rivalry to Respect
"Yeah, that'd be fair," Parker responded without hesitation. "I'd knock his head straight off if I could get near him. Playing Origin, I was like, this bloke is an absolute Derek. Like, what a nine ball. And then when we got picked in the Australian side together, I didn't want to like him. Anyway, first day I was like, this bloke's a legend. I can't dislike him."
Like Parker, Woods has successfully transitioned into media work since retiring from professional rugby league. The former Tigers prop has established himself on Triple M radio, where he works alongside fellow football great Beau Ryan. Woods previously generated headlines during last year's Origin series when he branded Queensland coach Billy Slater a "grub" following Slater's decision to drop captain Daly Cherry-Evans from the team.
Controversial Comments and Professional Partnerships
"To me that's p**s poor form from Billy Slater," Woods declared at the time. "After game one in your press conference you said it wasn't about the personnel, you said you didn't play too well. You've come out and axed your captain Daly Cherry-Evans. You've said it wasn't a scapegoat, but mate it's a scapegoat."
Woods continued his criticism: "It's so funny because you watch these blokes up north and they say we don't get Origin and they use this pick and stick mentality. Well, Billy, you've just turned on your skipper. I want to see the real Billy Slater come out - the grub that we know of. This is a bloke who kicked John Skandalis in the head and got a six-week suspension. Everyone wants to go 'oh he's such a nice bloke'."
Rocky Start for New NRL Show
The NRL version of The Agenda Setters experienced a somewhat turbulent beginning when it was revealed that production was taking place in Melbourne rather than traditional rugby league strongholds like Sydney or Brisbane. Parker and Woods are joined on the panel by former Roosters and Rabbitohs star Luke Keary, alongside NRL reporters David Riccio and Jelisa Apps, with veteran sports presenter Matt White completing the lineup.
Despite their current professional collaboration on the Channel Seven program, Parker's candid admission about his hypothetical fighting capabilities against Woods reveals that old sporting rivalries never completely fade, even when former opponents become broadcasting colleagues working side by side on national television.
