ZAC TO THE FUTURE

Woolford takes Giant strides after NRL pain

- by DAVE CRAVEN

ZAC WOOLFORD still doesn't know why he was bombed out of Canberra - but that's driving him on to flourish with Huddersfield.

The Aussie hooker can't wait to start life in Super League after his NRL frustrations.

Woolford was Ricky Stuart's starting No.9 in 2022 and 2023, playing almost 40 first-grade games.

But he was unexpectedly cast off to the reserves by the veteran Raiders head coach last year and appeared just once in the NRL.

Asked if he'd ever got a reason from the famously volatile Stuart, Woolford said: "Not really. It was tough.

"Outside of footy, we get on really well. We still do.