Matt Moylan breaks silence on Penrith captaincy controversy, declaring ”it is an honour” to lead Panthers

AN emotional Matt Moylan looked close to breaking point when he finally addressed the Penrith captaincy controversy.

Matt Moylan and Panthers teammates look on after a Sharks try. Picture: Gregg Porteous

AN emotional Matt Moylan looked close to breaking point when he finally addressed the ­Penrith captaincy controversy, declaring: “It is an honour to captain a club like this.”

In the wake of a crushing 28-2 ­defeat to premiers Cronulla that was the Panthers’ third straight loss and biggest at home in four years, Moylan was clearly upset and ­embarrassed.

He spoke barely above a whisper when he addressed the media, but seemed adamant he had no intention of quitting as skipper.

“Nothing changes what I want to do,” Moylan said. “It is an honour to captain a club like this.

“Obviously it was a mistake by us. We missed out on an opportunity (last week when Moylan was dropped for the game against South Sydney).

“We have to repay them the rest of the year. It is something that was brought on by myself. So I am just working through it.”

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Matt Moylan and Panthers teammates look on after a Sharks try. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Coach Anthony Griffin copped his share of criticism for the decision to dump Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake for the game against the Rabbitohs after they broke ­curfew in Melbourne.

But Griffin last night praised Moylan’s “strength of character” and also dismissed suggestions that he would consider giving the captaincy to Peter Wallace.

“No. I think you just heard Matt talk about where we are at,” Griffin said. “The last couple of weeks have been a tough period for everybody.

“But Matt is the captain of our club. That is not going to change from our end and we are going to help him develop.

“He has shown a lot of strength of character over the last couple of weeks and that is going to hold him in good stead.”

Matt Moylan is wrapped up by Jack Bird. Picture: Gregg Porteous

But something has to change in the way the Panthers are going about their business on the field.

After starting the season as co-competition favourites with Melbourne Storm, the Panthers are reeling on the back of just two wins in the opening seven rounds.

Regardless of who wins today’s final game of the round between Parramatta and Wests Tigers, Penrith will finish the weekend in 13th spot on the ladder at best.

Cronulla completely dominated yesterday’s match from start to finish, running in five tries to nil.

Penrith’s young halves Nathan Cleary and Te Maire Martin had no answer to the Sharks’ fast-moving and swarming defence, which closed down their attacking options.