Panthers skipper Matt Moylan could be on the outer at Penrith

PENRITH officials believe skipper Matt Moylan is only a “50/50” chance to stay with the club beyond this season.

Matt Moylan is on the outer at Penrith.

PENRITH officials revealed they were only ‘’50/50’’ about the chances of unhappy skipper Matt Moylan remaining at the club beyond this season.

As the Panthers prepare for their blockbuster clash against Manly this evening at Lottoland, there was bombshell news at the foot of the mountains about Moylan’s unrest.

The local pin-up has struggled with ongoing hamstring injuries, but was this week hauled in and reminded about the importance of being diligent with his rehabilitation.

Moylan is signed until the end of 2021 but would have no shortage of interest elsewhere given him given his ability to play in the halves and fullback.

Wests Tigers were one club mentioned as a possible new home, but coach Ivan Cleary just last week shot down any plans of reuniting with the 26-year-old Moylan at the other end of the M4 Motorway.

Moylan reportedly wanted to give up the captaincy earlier this season.

Panthers boss Brian Fletcher told The Saturday Telegraph: “If Matt came to us and said he had a better offer, and that’s what he wanted, we wouldn’t stand in his way.

“We only want what is best for him.

“I wouldn’t say I’m confident he’ll stay. I’d be 50/50. It just depends how he cops the discipline and if he gets his rehab right.’’

The Saturday Telegraph reported earlier this year Moylan was struggling with the captaincy and wanted to relinquish the role.

That news emerged after he was one three players stood down by coach Anthony Griffin following a boozy night in Melbourne.

It was a huge call by Griffin, and when the Panthers lost their next game, there was talk back then it could have cost Penrith a finals berth.

LISTEN! With finals spots on the line this is one of the biggest rounds of the year. Paul Suttor, Michael Carayannis and Matt Logue have all the news as the NRL finals loom.

As it stands, with the Cowboys losing Thursday night, Penrith will play in the finals provided they are not pumped by 38 points or more against the Sea Eagles, and the Dragons win as expected against Canterbury tomorrow.

Moylan has always been a favourite, but the Generation Next Panthers — led by Nathan Cleary — have won over the locals with their hard work.

Griffin told The Saturday Telegraph earlier on Friday that triple axing was never going to be used as an excuse had the much-hyped Panthers bombed out before September.

“That decision was made at the time in the best interests of the club and the players,’’ Griffin told The Saturday Telegraph.

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“It’s something that was in our best interests long term.

“It’s not something we’ve dwelt on since.

“The important thing for us is to believe in ourselves and be consistent. The last two months have been really enjoyable, and it’s a credit to the players.

“There have been a lot of changes.

“We’ve been without Peter Wallace for long periods, without Matt Moylan, Trent Merrin, Bryce Cartwright has just come back. Whoever has had to come in and do a job has got it done, and we’ve ended up where we are now with a shot at the back end of the year.’’

Moylan was named in an extended bench and was given a decent hitout, but Griffin said ‘’he’s at long odds’’, and it would be a mistake to rush someone back at ‘’75 to 80 per cent fitness’’ for a finals-like game.