Aaron Woods has back-tracked on his criticism of David Shillington, saying he is glad the Canberra prop avoided suspension for headbutting.
Shillington was sent off in the dying moments of the Wests Tigers' 20-18 NRL win over the Raiders in Canberra on Monday night after lashing out at Tigers front-rower Woods in a scrum.
Immediately after the game Woods was scathing of Shillington's actions, saying he had suffered a "brain snap" and predicting he would be rubbed out for the rest of the season.
"It'll be his last game for the year," Woods told Triple M.
Shillington is free to play Manly on Sunday afternoon after accepting an early guilty plea for a grade one contrary conduct charge.
On Thursday, Woods softened his tone, saying the former Australian and Queensland prop had failed to connect and dismissed the incident.
"Well he didn't get me," Woods said.
"If he had of hit it probably would have hurt.
"It's just one of those things that happens on the field. I haven't really watched it or seen any footage.
"We just had a bit of a chat on the field and that's what happens."
Woods said he was glad Shillington had escaped suspension.
"It was pretty funny everything that happened," Woods said.
"That's footy. I didn't hurt, it didn't land.
"Mate, I don't think he should get in any trouble for it. It's just one of those things that happens on a footy field."
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Topic: Woods backs Shillington over headbutt
