If Ryan Matterson is bitter at being squeezed out of the Sydney Roosters, he isn't showing it.
Instead, the Wests Tigers-bound second-rower is relishing what could be his final game for the club when he lines up for Saturday's NRL preliminary final against South Sydney.
The contest pits him against the man set to replace him on the right edge next year in Rabbitohs star Angus Crichton, who joins the club on a lucrative deal.
With Crichton coming on board, Matterson sought, and was granted, a release from the final year of his contract to take up his own long-term deal at Concord.
"I wouldn't say it was a relief to get it sorted out. It's exciting knowing that where I'm going next year is a new chapter in my career," Matterson told AAP.
"But I've still got an awesome opportunity this year with the Roosters."
The 23-year-old refuses to consider the possibility that this could be his final game for the club.
"I haven't even given it a thought," he says.
"I'm hoping that it's not my last game here at the Roosters and I've still got another one to go. If we can play our best football, I'm sure we can win this game."
The Parramatta junior was a halfback when he arrived at Moore Park at the start of the 2015 season with a distinguished resume, including NSW under-20s and Junior Kangaroos honours.
But under the tutelage of Trent Robinson, he has transformed into one of the most promising and versatile second-rowers in the competition.
However, Matterson believes the club has made him more than just a footy player.
"It's funny how some people look at how I changed from a halfback to second-rower. I haven't looked at it like that," he says.
"I've looked at it how I've changed as a person.
"On the field, I knew coming to the Roosters that I was going to be a better player. But I didn't realise how good of a club the Roosters are in changing you to be a better person.
"I've learnt how to play second row from scratch, but I can't thank 'Robbo' and the club enough for turning me into a better person.
"The Roosters hold you accountable to be better every day. So they're producing good footballers, but even better people."
Australian Associated Press
