Aaron Woods' need to escape a "toxic environment" and the fear he would reflect on his career a decade from now with just one finals campaign to his name pushed the Tigers' skipper out the door at Concord, according to close friend and soon-to-be clubmate David Klemmer.

The Bulldogs forward has given a revealing insight into Woods' decision to turn his back on the club he captains to sign a four-year deal at Belmore, frustrated with the Tigers' lack of on-field success and salary cap space chewed up by players no longer at the club.

Backing a mate: David Klemmer (centre, front row) will play in the Anzac Test on Friday.. Credit:Getty Images

Woods' hamstring injury has robbed the best mates of uniting in a depleted front row for Mal Meninga's Kangaroos in the Anzac Test against New Zealand in Canberra on Friday night, leaving Klemmer with a mighty task to stifle Jesse Bromwich and Adam Blair.

But he has first leapt to the defence of Woods, who will be a sounding board for Klemmer this week despite again being jeered and mocked in a banner by some Tigers' supporters less than 24 hours before his Bulldogs switch was made official.