Wests Tigers among potential suitors if Matt Moylan decides to leave Panthers

SEVEN NRL clubs are ready to offer a “disinterested and restless” Matt Moylan a new home if he seeks a release from Penrith at the end of the season.

Matt Moylan on the sidelines during NRL match Manly Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers at Brookvale oval. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SEVEN NRL clubs are ready to offer a “disinterested and restless” Matt Moylan a new home if he seeks a release from Penrith at the end of the season.

Moylan will meet Panthers officials this week to try to thrash out any issues which could see the star player walk out just one season into a rich five-year contract extension he signed last year.

Panthers insiders say Moylan has shown minimal desire to attend events this year — meetings, barbecues or informal gatherings — fuelling speculation he is unhappy.

Moylan hasn’t broken any club protocols but the club has been left unsure whether it means their star five-eighth wants to leave or is feeling out-of-favour while sidelined through injury.

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One player privately said Moylan appeared “disinterested and restless.”

The Daily Telegraph has canvassed all NRL clubs and seven have expressed an interest in Moylan.

No doubt the relationship between Moylan and head coach Anthony Griffin has been frosty at times.

Matt Moylan’s future at the Penrith Panthers is up in the air.

Penrith do not want to lose Moylan but they do have cover in the halves and fullback through exciting young trio Tyrone May, Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards.

Penrith respect and adore Moylan but the club has told the player he would be free to walk away if he is uninterested in remaining a Panther.

He appears distant at the moment.

Losing Moylan, 26, would be a severe blow but free up significant room in the club’s salary cap.

Panthers general manager of football Phil Gould met with Moylan last week.

There was no fireworks or threats, just a simple understanding he could leave if he sought a release. That hasn’t happened yet.

There is still some uncertainty as to whether Moylan would actually leave or whether it’s just a speed bump which can be fixed during the calmness of an off-season.

Wests Tigers would be the main suitor with coach Ivan Cleary a massive fan — and vice versa.

Cleary elevated Moylan to first grade at Penrith back in 2013.

Moylan would slot straight into the fullback spot vacated by James Tedesco or maybe into five-eighth with Tui Lolohea taking over the No. 1 jumper.

There is a theory Moylan feels left out at the moment due to his hamstring injury. He isn’t certain to return for Penrith’s elimination finals clash this weekend.

While honoured, it appears Moylan was never comfortable about being given the Penrith captaincy.

In hindsight, Peter Wallace or Trent Merrin may have been better suited to the role.

Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake were dropped for breaking a team curfew after the loss to Melbourne Storm in April.