Penrith NRL star Matt Moylan says his form has been patchy, but high expectations of him sit comfortably on his shoulders.
Panthers fullback Moylan, after enjoying a breakthrough season in 2014, aspires to play more representative rugby league this year.
Moylan emerged as one of the code’s most-exciting young talents last year, playing for NSW City against Country and the Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea.
Part of the Penrith team which charged into the NRL finals, Moylan received a call-up into the Australian Four Nations tournament squad, but didn’t play a game.
State Of Origin looms, with Josh Dugan and Brett Stewart probably ahead of him in the queue for the NSW No.1 jersey.
Like Penrith, who have a 3-4 record this season, Moylan hasn’t been quite as consistent as last season.
Asked on Friday about his form this year, Moylan said: “I think it’s probably been a bit patchy.
“I think there’s definitely areas I can improve on but, in saying that, I think I’ve been doing some good things.”
He’s not shying away from increased expectations of him after having such a spectacular season last year and is open about his desire to play for NSW and Australia.
“I’ve probably got more expectations of me going forward and that sits well with me,” Moylan said.
“I know if I want to play good footy and I want to play rep footy, which is what I want to do, it’s going to be part and parcel of that.
“I’ve just got to deal with that and just try and play consistent footy for Penrith.”
Being in the Kangaroos’ camp last year and watching them play whetted his appetite for more representative recognition.
“I obviously didn’t get a game, but just being in the camp was a good experience and it’s definitely something I want to get back into and achieve,” Moylan said.
“I want to play for Australia and I want to play Origin as well, so I’ve just got to stick to it at Penrith and play good consistent footy.”
Moylan represented Australia at junior level in touch football and appeared in Sydney on Friday with his older brother Ben, who is part of the Australian squad for the touch football World Cup in Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast next week.
