Penrith NRL captain Matt Moylan has been given indefinite leave from the game to deal with personal issues as his club prepares for an elimination final on Saturday.
However, after meeting with Moylan and his manager on Monday, the club confirmed the star five-eighth would remain at the club long-term.
“As a result of this meeting we can confirm Matt is 100 per cent committed to his future at the Panthers and we are 100 per cent committed to Matt,” club boss Phil Gould said.
Moylan’s future was in doubt following reports he was unsettled, while the club was unhappy with his attitude towards overcoming a hamstring injury.
Rival NRL clubs were believed to be circling the former NSW representative.
“We held a long discussion with Matt and his manager this morning,” Gould said.
“We see Matt as a valuable asset to our club and hope he has a long and successful future as a Panther.
“In the short term we are giving Matt some time away from the game to deal with some personal issues and we hope that people will respect his privacy.
“It’s disappointing that this has made its way to the media and from this point on there will be no further comment from the club, Matt or his management.
“We look forward to seeing Matt re-join the group as soon as possible.”
Stand-in captain Peter Wallace insisted the Panthers could overcome the Moylan saga which threatens to derail their finals campaign, beginning against Manly on Saturday.
“There’s never a good time but it just so happens to be now,” Wallace said earlier on Monday at the NRL finals launch.
“It’s not a distraction for us. I know the whole team’s excited about playing this week and they’re not going to let anything distract us. It’s got nothing to do with us.
“Matt and the club will sort that out and then move forward.”
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Gagai was a bit of a problem kid at Brisbane. Took his spot for granted and was often showing up to training late or hungover. When he was sacked and got a glimpse of life without football he woke up a bit and a couple years under Bennett really settled him down.
Mad Magpie Rob
Guest
Just love how Gallen and Mini have come out in the press with their rubbish statements. Both are hoping to smooch Moyaln into thinking that their respective clubs will treat him with the sympathy and molly coddling he needs just to have him come to their clubs. Love the way the vultures move in. Not sure what the Panthers have done to upset the bloke, but coming into the finals, if it's true that he's disgruntled and upset at the coach, then not being willing to play, well that kind of player deserves to go to a team like the Roosters. But if the young bloke legitimately needs time to get help, then all the best to the lad, really hope he comes out of it a stronger person. Time will tell which it is, but the comments from Gallen and Mini are in poor taste either way.
curaeus
Guest
There have been rumours of discord between Moylan and Griffin for a while now. Usually that kind of thing leads to either player or coach leaving. Suspect Moylan will get released as soon as Penriths season is done.
Larry1950
Guest
Lucky Gus is there to look after the panthers interests as Griffin cost the Broncos Dane Gagai when he was playing up a bit. Have to handle these millenials a bit different to real people because they've been mollycoddled by parents and have been told they're champions since they were two year olds, don't handle setbacks well. Panthers will rue the day they appointed Griffin, very ordinary coach.