Could Matt Moylan’s NRL finals absence come back to haunt Phil Gould and Panthers?

TWO years ago Phil Gould pushed Ivan Cleary out the door, claiming the former Penrith coach needed a break. Could this decision come back to haunt the Panthers?

Has Phil Gould got the Moylan situation right for Penrith? Picture: Toby Zerna

TWO years ago Phil Gould pushed Ivan Cleary out the door, claiming the former Penrith coach was “tired” and needed a break.

That decision could come back to haunt the Panthers’ general manager as Matt Moylan’s uneasy relationship with Anthony Griffin comes under increasing pressure.

On Monday Gould rejected claims a rift with Griffin was behind Moylan’s current problems.

But several sources close to Moylan and the club have revealed issues between the coach and captain have been ongoing, and that Moylan isn’t the only player struggling because of Griffin’s hard-line approach.

While it is true Moylan is Penrith through and through and doesn’t want to leave, the local junior may end up being forced to make a change for his own welfare.

If that happens, Cleary will be waiting with open arms.

DEAN RITCHIE: Moylan right to walk away

PAUL KENT: Player-coach relationship the issue

Has Phil Gould got the Moylan situation right for Penrith? Picture: Toby Zerna

It is understood Moylan and Cleary still have a strong relationship and there’s no doubt the Wests Tigers, like many clubs, would snap up the chance if the opportunity was presented.

The Daily Telegraph was told that other Penrith players are finding it somewhat difficult under the current regime, with young gun Nathan Cleary even said to be questioning his long-term future.

The teenage halfback still has a further two years to run on his current deal and the club has indicated they want to lock him up for a further five years.

While there is no suggestion Nathan Cleary will be leaving before his deal is up, it is said to underline a bigger problem confronting Gould and Griffin.

It was only last Friday chief executive Bryan Fletcher told The Daily Telegraph he rated Moylan only a “50/50 chance” of being at Penrith next year, even though on Monday Gould guaranteed he would be staying.

An unsettled Moylan would be highly sought after. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“Right from the first words that came out of his mouth today, Matt was committed to the club, loves the club and wants to be here for the rest of his career,” Gould said.

Which is probably Moylan’s preference in a perfect world, but morale at Penrith right now is anything but perfect, according to many.

Growing unrest has been the talk around rival clubs for weeks.

There is no doubt Griffin is a good coach and many outsiders will side with him on the player disciplinary issues that led to him standing down Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake for breaking curfew in Melbourne earlier this season.

Fletcher confirmed Griffin has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension that was approved by the board a month ago.

Fletcher also claimed it was “bull****” other players had issues with Griffin.

“We have been behind all that, there is no dramas with the coach at all,” Fletcher said.

“I can 100 per cent guarantee that.”

Time will tell.

Apr 29, 2013

Panthers debut

Moylan debuts against Parramatta in a 44-12 win on Monday night football. The 22-year old is one of the best players on the field in the thumping win.

Mar 22, 2014

Making his mark

In the first of several match-winning performances that season, Moylan kicks a sideline conversion in the shadows of the final siren to beat Canterbury 18-16.

May 4, 2014

Moving up

The Panthers fullback makes his representative debut at fullback for City in their 26-all draw with Country.

Jul 14, 2014

Star power

Moylan nails a clutch field goal in the final minute to secure a 35-34 win over Brisbane in one of the games of the season.

Aug 18, 2014

Consistency is key

In his third match-winning play of the season, Moylan kicks the winning field goal in a 23-22 victory against North Queensland.

Sep 13, 2014

Finishing on a high

At the end of his second season in first grade, Moylan plays in his first finals match, a pulsating 19-18 win over the Roosters. Penrith go down in the preliminary final 18-12 to Canterbury. Moylan is named in the Four Nations squad, but does not play a match.

Jan 27, 2016

Moylan the skipper

Moylan is appointed Panthers captain.

Jun 1, 2016

Origin call-up

After an injury plagued season in 2015 Moylan roars back to life and earns his Origin debut at fullback in the Blues 6-4 loss to Queensland.

Jul 13, 2016

Getting it done

Moylan plays his third Origin match, which doubles as his first senior game at five-eighth. The Blues win 18-14 courtesy of a last-second try to Michael Jennings.

Sep 11, 2016

Finals footy

Penrith defeat Canterbury 28-12 in the first week of the finals with Moylan playing a starring role. The Panthers season is ended the next week via a 22-12 loss to Canberra.

Sep 22, 2016

Panthers loyalty

Moylan signs a four-year contract extension with Penrith that will keep him at the club until the end of 2021.

Oct 28, 2016

Kangaroo debut

Moylan makes his Test debut in a 54-12 win over Scotland as part of the Four Nations.

Apr 4, 2017

Tough times

After breaching a team curfew following a loss to Melbourne, Moylan, Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku are all dropped to reserve grade. Moylan does not lose the captaincy.

Jun 4, 2017

New life

After Penrith’s rough start to the season Moylan plays five-eighth for the club for the first time, playing a starring role in the club’s 38-0 thrashing of Canterbury.

Aug 20, 2017

Injury strikes

Moylan plays his final game of the season, a 26-22 win over Canberra that all but secured Penrith’s spot in the finals.

Sep 4, 2017

Future uncertain

The club announces Moylan will not play again this season as his future at Penrith becomes clouded.