Trent Merrin shoots down rumours coach Anthony Griffin is on the outer at Panthers

PENRITH forward Trent Merrin has hit back at claims coach Anthony Griffin’s future at the club is once again in doubt.

PENRITH forward Trent Merrin has hit back at claims coach Anthony Griffin’s future at the club is once again in doubt.

Speculation resurfaced on Monday that Griffin was on the outer at the Panthers after reports emerged the club was conducting a mid-season review.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it. It’s all fine from the inside. Nothing has been said, nothing has changed at all inside these walls here,” he said.

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Rumours have circled that Panthers coach Anthony Griffin could exit the club. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers)

“Everything that has been said has been whispers that have been blown out of proportion.”

Merrin says the fact the review happened at a time when they were losing football games is nothing more than bad timing.

“We’re in the spotlight. Everyone has got their desires for us to get to where we want to get to so if we do slip a little bit they are going to be on us,” he said.

“We’ve got a big role to play but we’re heading into the right direction, we’ve got a big job on against the Warriors and that’s our main focus.”

Trent Merrin says there’s no truth to the Griffin rumours. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

The Panthers are coming off consecutive losses and will be looking to get back into the winners circle when they take on New Zealand on Friday night.

Merrin revealed the representative period was proving challenging and had been disruptive to their week-to-week preparations.

“The origin period does take a toll on the squad, players are in and out of the team,” he said.

“As a group though we are still confident with how we have been going. We need to fix up a few areas but that’s a simple job.

Penrith will be without Nathan Cleary, James Maloney and Tyrone Peachey, who are all on New South Wales duty.

The trio face a huge task to back-up only 48 hours after game three in Brisbane against Cronulla.

Merrin, a former Blues forward, has experienced first hand the physical and mental endurance it takes to back-up from an Origin match.

“They’ve done exceptionally well to get back and put the team first and do the best they possibly can,” he said.

“At the end of the day it’s a tough gig to come back, the energy levels aren’t going to be up to where we need them to be.”

Merrin says the club have been impacted heavily by the tough rep period. Pic: Phil Hillyard

“It’s up to us, the other boys, that aren’t in those teams to really lift and rise to the occasion. I think we have slipped a little bit there, we could have done a better job.”

In team news Tyrone May and Jarome Luai have been called up from the Intrust Super Premiership to replace Cleary and Maloney in the halves.

Boom forward Viliame Kikau sustained a heavy knock to his knee last weekend against the Sea Eagles and had to be helped from the field but has was named on Tuesday.

“He’s a tough boy. We need him in the team so I'm pretty sure he’ll put the team first,” Merrin said.

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Originally published as Trent Merrin shoots down rumours coach Anthony Griffin is on the outer at Panthers