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Matt Moylan admits he still has a lot to learn about playing in the NRL, but the second year fullback again showed why he shapes as a key figure in Penrith’s assault on the finals series, starring in their 26-10 over Wests Tigers.
Moylan scored one try and had a hand in three others at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday before 16,698 fans but not before revisiting a nightmare play from the week before.
Cornered in his ingoal Moylan threw a risky pass that went to ground before being pounced on by Kevin Naiqama, an almost identical error that resulted in a Warriors try in their loss last week.
But with playmaker Peter Wallace sidelined early with an ankle injury, Moylan stepped up from then on to score one try and have a hand in three others as Penrith surged to the top of the NRL ladder alongside Manly and Penrith but ahead on for and against.
With Wallace possibly sidelined for the rest of the season, Moylan looms as a key figure in the Panthers’ run-in to the finals.
“When I threw that pass I just though `oh, here we go again’, but luckily it turned out OK,” he said.
“(Coach) Ivan (Cleary) had a word to me about it during the week … he didn’t say anything at halftime but he might again. I certainly won’t do it again.”
Moylan broke the game open early for the visitors when he jinked his way through the Tigers’ line in the 16th minute with Wallace down in backplay.
The rookie No.1 then threw the final pass for Dean Whare’s first try in the 26th minute that pushed them out to a 12-0 halftime lead on the back of their forward dominance.
Penrith continued to enjoy the better of field position after the break for Kevin Naqaima to cross out wide in the 57th minute, with Moylan again throwing the last pass.
The Tigers finally scored in the 53rd minute when Blake Austin stepped his way over to give the raucous home crowd some hope.
But that was dashed just three minutes later when Jamal Idris strode over out wide and Whare scored his double six minutes later.
Brent Kite toiled away strongly up front all day for the Panthers in his 300th NRL game and five-eighth Jamie Soward led the team well without Wallace.
In contrast the Tigers were largely directionless without their skipper and NSW rake Robbie Farah, with youngsters Mitchell Moses and Matt Lodge making solid NRL debuts.
Panthers duo Elijah Taylor and Adam Docker left the field late for the Panthers with concussion, while Tigers pivot Braith Anasta suffered an arm injury.
Anasta was placed on report for a dangerous throw on Idris, his teammate Bodene Thompson earning the same with a late first half hit on Jamie Soward.
Cleary praised Moylan’s contribution.
“He has been a big part of what we have done in every game this year,” he said.
“He is getting better every week.”
Tigers coach Mick Potter lamented his side’s ability to get into the game.
“We made far too many errors and just couldn’t get out of second gear,” he said.
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