Matt Moylan switch still a work in

THE Matt Moylan switch to five-eighth is still a work in progress but the Panthers managed to do enough to defeat Canterbury in their trial match at Pepper Stadium.

Bulldogs Michael Lichaa scores try during the Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs pre season trial game Pepper Stadium , Penrith. Pic Jenny Evans

THE Matt Moylan five-eighth experiment remains a work in progress after the new Penrith skipper delivered a mixed display in a 24-20 trial victory over Canterbury.

In his first match since a serious ankle injury ended his season in May last year, Moylan played the opening 40 minutes — including 20 minutes at five-eighth.

The playmaker had limited chances with the ball in the halves, while a big hit from barnstorming Bulldog Greg Eastwood left him winded and out of action for three minutes.

Moylan started the match at fullback and looked more comfortable, but the 24-year-old hasn’t ruled more time in the halves in coming weeks.

“It was a bit different,” Moylan said when asked about playing at five-eighth.

“I enjoyed my time at six, but we’ll just see what happens next week.

“With Sowie coming back from the All Stars game and Te Maire Martin (former Wests Tigers NYC star) did a good job in the halves, so my time there might be limited.

“It was just good to get back out there and blow the cobwebs out, it has obviously been a while.”

Anthony Griffin was pleased with his first match as Penrith coach.

He was particularly happy to see Moylan get through injury-free, while he admitted the skipper would most likely return to fullback when Soward comes back from All Stars camp.

“He (Matt) just had to get through,” Griffin said.

“He hadn’t played for about eight months, so he was always going to be scratchy. When he went down I thought he might have been hurt, but I was just glad he is okay.

“I’ll probably leave him at fullback at the moment and just see how everyone else pulls up.”

Penrith may have won the match, but Canterbury started strongly with three tries.

Star recruit Will Hopoate was a standout in his first outing for the club, scoring a powerful solo try.

The former Eel limped off with a cork two minutes before the break, but coach Des Hasler said Hopoate pulled up fine and was only taken off for precautionary reasons.

In a huge boost for the Bulldogs, Hasler also confirmed star fullback Brett Morris should start the season despite suffering a knee injury in pre-season training.

The Panthers won courtesy of a late try.

Moses Mbye also impressed for the Bulldogs by setting up two tries, while back-rower Tony Williams made a successful return from a pectoral injury.

Penrith battled for continuity in the first half, but they’ll improve with All Stars Soward and Tyrone Peachey, plus recruit Trent Merrin, to return.

On a positive note for the Panthers, Peter Wallace returned from a knee injury with a solid display.

New Penrith recruit Peta Hiku also performed well.

The Bulldogs fielded their NRL stars in the first half and it paid off on the scoreboard when Hopoate barged over after 16 minutes.

While Penrith’s attack looked sluggish, the Bulldogs were slick with the ball.

Tries to Kerrod Holland and Michael Lichaa gave the Bulldogs a commanding 14-0 lead, which the Panthers whittled back to 14-12 by halftime.

Both sides fielded their NSW Cup players in the second half of the match.

Former Gold Coast Suns AFL player Josh Hall sealed the win for the Panthers with a last-gasp try out wide

Originally published as Matt Moylan switch still a work in