When it was announced mid-week that Matt Moylan would captain the Penrith Panthers in 2016, I was initially surprised.
The 24-year-old has only played fifty National Rugby League matches. It would have been more except for a season-ending injury against the Eels at Pepper Stadium in late May 2015.
It’s great in the 50th year of the club that Moylan from St Clair Comets will captain the NRL side. Craig Gower and Greg Alexander were local juniors who went on to raise the Cup on grand final Day in 2003 and 1991 respectively.
Is that an omen for Moylan to follow in the footsteps of these Panther greats?
There was a strong case for Elijah Taylor or newcomer Trent Merrin to replace Peter Wallace as skipper. Quite possibly Taylor wasn’t in the mix as he’s in the final year of his contract at Penrith, one of a number of players in the current squad that will be playing for their futures during the season.
Having time to think Anthony Griffin’s decision through, it’s a positive move for the Panthers but likely to be the end for a couple of National Rugby League veterans.
Not often do fullbacks get the chance to captain their side. While Moylan is the current fullback at Penrith, that role is likely to head to new recruit in former Eagle Peta Hiku.
I would, like most Panther fans expect Moylan to move closer to the play. A move to five-eighth likely in a Darren Lockyer-type switch as early as the opening game of the season. The Panthers trial against Parramatta on February 20 will go a long way to determining this.
I also see Te Maire Martin making his National Rugby League debut in Canberra on Saturday May 5.
A quick analysis of Penrith’s 2015 season demonstrates why this will happen.
The play makers struggled to be effective. It’s fair to say the solid combination of Wallace and Jamie Soward was missing at different stages of the season which didn’t help.
The reality is Penrith scored the fewest points by a fair margin last season regardless of who played at six or seven.
I keep on being reminded that Ben Hunt was thrown into the deep end by Griffin at the Broncos and has become a representative quality player over the last few years. The same punt taken on Hunt will be taken on Martin.
For Penrith to make the eight this year, changes need to be made in the prestigious halves area. Moylan and Martin are the playmakers to take the club forward.
My Panthers backline for 2016
Fullback: Peta Hiku
Wing: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre: Dean Whare
Centre: George Jennings/Robert Jennings
Wing: Josh Mansour
Five-Eighth: Matt Moylan (c)
Halfback: Te Maire Martin
The off-season has seen Wallace and Soward ‘shopped around’ in the media could end up in the the two jumping on the unpredictable merry-go-round which has seen a high amount of transfers over the summer months in recent history.
I can’t see either player wanting to play in the VB NSW Cup system, so it could be a career ending decision that comes to a head for these two who are in their early thirties.
Credit to Griffin on making a bold move, a calculated risk.
Matty Moylan won’t let his side down. As for Te Maire Martin, that final piece in the jigsaw might be solved as soon as three weeks’ time.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
I can't see Hiku ever being used as a Fullback at Penny... He may float between the Centers and the Halves (as injury cover, he is the Kiwi 5/8, after all) but not Fullback. The Panthers have DWZ as the logical choice, and he's done a decent job there in cover for Moylan so far. I think Wallace's days are numbered, especially with Hook as coach, and that's a good thing, too. He is past his prime now, and isn't forming a good enough combo with Sowie. I'd say Sowie will guide Moylan and TMM over 2016, with them taking over in 2017 and Sowie likely heading to the UK or retiring, depending on his dodgy back. My 2016 backline would be as follows; 1. DWZ 2. Mansour 3. Hiku 4. Whare 5. Jennings (G or R, either/or) 6. Moylan/TMM 7. Soward/TMM As for the injury curse, rumours abound in my circles (which involve players and staff at the club) Cleary was given "the march" as he wasn't following medical advice and keeping players on ice (and off the field) as long as was required to recover... he was rushing to replicate 2014, and failed.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
As a Penrith fan, I think we still need Sowie just until TMM has developed. Soward has a great kicking game which would be missed. Moylan taking over Wallace could spark our attack enough to leave out TMM for the time being anyway. Hope Moylan does well this year.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Agreed but understand Penrith wanting him at 5/8 though because DWZ has the athleticism for returning the footy and they need some spark in the halves. Dugan did well in Origin, scored a crucial try but he lacks the skills that Moylan and Tedesco clearly have. Cut out passes, kicks behind the defence and the like. Ideally I'd love to see Moylan as NSW fullback with Jack Bird/Blake Austin at 5/8. Bird's try against Souths in the semi last year showed why he should be a serious contender. He took the line on and dragged Inglis over the goal line. Did you see that Bozo and Loz?
TheEroticGamer
Roar Rookie
Changing halves partners won't solve anything as the main problem is that anyone who pulls on the black jumper gets injured. Changing Moylan's position straight up may dial in an unnecessary year of transition for a team that does so well when fit. Penrith suffered the highest amount of centre-winger, spine and halves combinations in it's respective categories.Do that to a Brisbane or a Cowboys side and you're going to get similar results. Penrith has such a talented team that can do so much damage, look at 2014.Chopping it up and starting again is such a huge waste.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
I think it would be a risk to start the season with Martin and Moylan in the halves. To start a new captain in a new position with a rookie next to him in a fairly young backline is too much to ask. I think Soward deserves his spot and will add that control that they would lack without him. He had a poor year last year but if he is fit he could replicate 2014 if he can get confidence. Moylan is involved in the play plenty as it is, and he excels. He was ahead of everyone in try and line-break assists before he was injured last year and it shows that despite what he has on his back he will be playing that playmakers role. Wallace should make way for Martin and he will benefit more from having Soward next to him. Moylan will make a great captain. He leads by example, he comes up with the goods when he needs it and he is confident
Dufeyz
Guest
Hiku needs to play Centre. Gennings, Rennings and Blake are/will be good but as of round 26 last year they arent up to NRL standard just yet. DWZ can play fullback, really well. He has got a bit of a pass in him too. Basically, hiku was signed to play centre and barring an extreme injury crisis i cant see him moving from there any time this season.
Matt Pritchard
Roar Rookie
I think Moylan naturally is a ball player. I read somewhere once about his touch football skills and with that type of player you want them in possession 2 or 3 times a set, not just in the opponent's red zone.
Matt Pritchard
Roar Rookie
I'm not saying the backline is my preferred line-up, but it appears this is the way Anthony Griffin will go whether its in Canberra in game 1, or sometime later in the season. A lot of the thought was based on Griffin's relationship with Wallace at Brisbane. In public the relationship is good but I'm not sure it's the case behind closed doors. As for Soward, 'shopped around' and couldn't complete a full season last season. Is his back problem still an issue that he will just manage for the rest of his career? I'm sure Griffin wants to have a fit and injury free side given the casualty ward over the last two years
Matt Pritchard
Roar Rookie
That's the $64 question. I think he will end up being a great captain of the club. But to be effective, he must play up in the front line.
Sam
Guest
I don't fully understand the obsession with wanting Moylan at 6 right away. In this era of the NRL a ball playing fullback is gold. Last year the sides who struggled to post points had fullbacks with below average passing games. Think Dugan, Penrith after Moylan was injured and the storm after slater. Compared to 3 of the top 4 point scoring teams last year with RTS Boyd and Coote. Short term penriths spine should be seggy wallace soward moylan. With tmm to replace wallace when/if needed.
The eye
Guest
Think you're being a little hasty,Matt. Jamie's kicking game is still one of the best in the league and vital for this side. Hiku is a very good centre,but if Moylan comes up,DWZ is a far more dangerous runner of the football. .Jennings bros.and Waqa still arent up to regular first grade standard.. Moylan DWZ Mansour Whare Hiku Sowie T M M I'd be hoping Hook saw the number of times RTS and Tedesco touched the ball last year and have captain Matt living in the line they did.. It's a very talented side and I expect top 6..
Pat Malone
Guest
Do you have any idea whether he is a good captain ?
Andrew
Guest
I'm hoping Laurie Daley will pick Matt Moylan & Adam Reynolds in the Halves in the SOS side. That's MY prediction, I'm certainly not a clairvoyant that's for sure.