The Wests Tigers claim there's no animosity towards mid-NRL season defector Mitchell Moses but there may be some envy around his new and improved situation.
Tigers captain Aaron Woods has praised Moses for pushing for a release in May to join Parramatta, who are poised to make a run at finals in seventh place on the ladder.
The Tigers, meanwhile, languish in second-last with four wins ahead of the two teams' round 20 meeting at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
"Yeah, definitely. You always want to be there at the end of the year," Woods told reporters on Friday when asked if he was jealous of Moses' move.
"Mitchell's done a really good job to get himself in that situation with the Parramatta side.
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"It's been a lot of hard work for him as well."
Woods (Canterbury) and star fullback James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), who is Moses' housemate, are also set to depart the Tigers but will have to wait for season's end.
The pair both said on Friday Moses appeared satisfied with the move, especially considering the Eels have won five of seven matches since his arrival.
"He just looks like he's more relaxed now," Woods said.
"He knows where he's at. He was unsure what was happening here.
"And they're in the eight as well. They're vying for a shot at the title.
"Things didn't go too well when he was here."
Woods reiterated his teammates' claims this week the Tigers had moved on from the disappointment of Moses' departure.
"He's got a job to do at Parramatta and we've got a job to do at Tigers," Woods said.
