James Maloney will take play making pressure off Nathan Cleary

IF James Maloney replaces Matt Moylan at Penrith could Nathan Cleary be propelled to new heights?

Nathan Cleary and Matt Moylan of the Panthers celebrate atry scored by Corey Harawira-Naera during the round 13 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on June 4, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

IF James Maloney replaces Matt Moylan at Penrith could Nathan Cleary be propelled to new heights?

The high-profile playmaking trade has sent shockwaves through the NRL with Penrith’s former skipper exiting the club 12 months after signing a five-year deal.

In return for sending Moylan to Cronulla, Penrith will land Maloney, a dual premiership winner and Origin representative.

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Maloney will provide Panthers prodigy Cleary with a veteran halves partner, something the 19-year old has lacked since breaking into first grade last season.

“I’ve always been a real believer that Nathan needs a real dominant half to help his game and take the pressure off him” said Penrith prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Moylan and Cleary partnered in the halves but Cleary took most control. Pic: Getty Images

“If we have ‘Moyza’ we’ll stay there and build on that, and if we get Jimmy we’ll build a relationship there.”

Winger Josh Mansour agrees, and cited Maloney’s experience in big matches as a key component of what he could bring to the club.

“Nathan was our main playmaker, to have another playmaker like Jimmy will share the load around the team and release some pressure off Nath.

Maloney has won premiership, played Origins and represented Australia. Pic: Getty Images

“If that happens he’ll be a good addition to the team, and he’ll bring a lot of experience. Hopefully the young guys can learn a lot from him

“He’s been to three grand finals and won two. He’d be a very good addition to the squad, but at this point in time it’s all speculation.

“He’s a larrikin, but when it comes down to business he means business. That’s what’s good about him, he’s got that balance.

“If he does come hopefully he doesn’t annoy me too much.”

Cleary could benefit from not having to take as much responsibility in leading the team around. Pic: AAP

Mansour debuted in 2012, making him Penrith’s longest serving player, and says the playing group will be sad to farewell Moylan.

“Being a Penrith junior, the skipper, it’ll be sad to see him leave,” he said.

“But you’ve got to back what the club thinks is right, and whatever direction they go for you’ve got to accept that.”

It’s a sentiment Campbell-Gillard agrees with – both players understand the business elements of the modern game.

“He’s our captain, he’s come through the system at Penrith and we’ll be sad to see him go.

“It’s a job, he’s got to look after his career. It’s up in the air, so we’ll see what happens.”

Originally published as James Maloney will take play making pressure off Nathan Cleary