MATT Moylan has given his biggest hint yet a move to the Panthers’ No. 6 jumper could be about to happen.
The sight of a fit Moylan running around injury-free on a steamy afternoon will have every fan at the foot of the mountains excited about the season ahead.
And those same supporters could see Moylan ditch fullback and return in the halves, a position he played all his junior career and where he has spent time training this summer.
Moylan, 24, has often been compared to possible future Immortal Darren Lockyer, who started at fullback and finished his career at five-eighth. The pair have a similar running style and even look the same.
New coach Anthony Griffin has told the playing group every jumper is up for grabs _ and he could make a bold call early by shifting Moylan to five-eighth at the expense of premiership playmaker Jamie Soward.
Soward has worked overtime on his back during the summer, but Griffin will also be mindful he has a ready-made fullback replacement in Dallin Watene-Zelezniak if Moylan moved.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday about the positional situation, Moylan said: “I’ve run at both positions. I’m just eager to play footy, and whether that’s in the halves or fullback, I don’t mind because I just want to get back out there.
“I’d feel comfortable in either position. Going back to five-eighth you’ve got to do a bit more organising, and I’d have to get used to that, but if that happens, I like the responsibility of that.
“If it doesn’t happen, I’m comfortable to going back to fullback where I playing before I got injured.’’
It’s understood Moylan is keen to roam the field if shifted to five-eighth, and not be anchored to one side.
Panthers boss Phil Gould told The Daily Telegraph before Christmas it was up to Griffin to decide who played where, but was of the opinion Griffin preferred Moylan as a fullback for the time being.
When Moylan broke down with an ankle injury against Parramatta midway through last season, Penrith were fortunate to have Watene-Zelezniak step up before he also entered the club’s bulging casualty ward.
Moylan spent plenty of time calling the shots and kicking on Tuesday with youngster Te Maire Martin.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted footballers at the club in years, Moylan is happy to be back running.
Having already spent time in the Kangaroos’ squad, Moylan is a genuine contender for a Blues’ berth.
“I thought I might have been capable if I had the opportunity (last year), but I’ll never know because I got injured,’’ he said.
“I just want to play good footy early on, and if I get talked up as a bolter or whatever for (the Blues), I’ll take that opportunity with both hands.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...penrith-panthers/story-fni3gfvk-1227706479260
The sight of a fit Moylan running around injury-free on a steamy afternoon will have every fan at the foot of the mountains excited about the season ahead.
And those same supporters could see Moylan ditch fullback and return in the halves, a position he played all his junior career and where he has spent time training this summer.
Moylan, 24, has often been compared to possible future Immortal Darren Lockyer, who started at fullback and finished his career at five-eighth. The pair have a similar running style and even look the same.
New coach Anthony Griffin has told the playing group every jumper is up for grabs _ and he could make a bold call early by shifting Moylan to five-eighth at the expense of premiership playmaker Jamie Soward.
Soward has worked overtime on his back during the summer, but Griffin will also be mindful he has a ready-made fullback replacement in Dallin Watene-Zelezniak if Moylan moved.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday about the positional situation, Moylan said: “I’ve run at both positions. I’m just eager to play footy, and whether that’s in the halves or fullback, I don’t mind because I just want to get back out there.
“I’d feel comfortable in either position. Going back to five-eighth you’ve got to do a bit more organising, and I’d have to get used to that, but if that happens, I like the responsibility of that.
“If it doesn’t happen, I’m comfortable to going back to fullback where I playing before I got injured.’’
It’s understood Moylan is keen to roam the field if shifted to five-eighth, and not be anchored to one side.
Panthers boss Phil Gould told The Daily Telegraph before Christmas it was up to Griffin to decide who played where, but was of the opinion Griffin preferred Moylan as a fullback for the time being.
When Moylan broke down with an ankle injury against Parramatta midway through last season, Penrith were fortunate to have Watene-Zelezniak step up before he also entered the club’s bulging casualty ward.
Moylan spent plenty of time calling the shots and kicking on Tuesday with youngster Te Maire Martin.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted footballers at the club in years, Moylan is happy to be back running.
Having already spent time in the Kangaroos’ squad, Moylan is a genuine contender for a Blues’ berth.
“I thought I might have been capable if I had the opportunity (last year), but I’ll never know because I got injured,’’ he said.
“I just want to play good footy early on, and if I get talked up as a bolter or whatever for (the Blues), I’ll take that opportunity with both hands.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...penrith-panthers/story-fni3gfvk-1227706479260
