Penrith’s Moylan could make shock NRL move

Penrith captain Matt Moylan could finally make an anticipated move to five-eighth after rushing back from State of Origin camp to train at his new position on Monday.

Moylan was the only member of the three additional players for NSW that returned to his club side after the weekend, with Jack de Belin and Jordan McLean still in Kingscliff.

It is believed the Panthers star returned to the foot of the mountains at the request of the club, who have a hole at five-eighth following a long-term injury to Bryce Cartwright.

Te Maire Martin was also on the training paddock, however Moylan spent a large chunk of the field session defending in the frontline with promising youngster Dylan Edwards at fullback.

“He basically is playing six when he is playing fullback,” teammate Tyrone Peachey said of Moylan, who is expected to re-unite with the Blues squad in Brisbane on Wednesday.

“He’s one of our dominant ball-players, even at the back there. But to change him to six from fullback, it’s going to be massive for our team. If we did it, he’d go good I reckon.”

Peachey, who also spent a handful of games in the halves for the Panthers, said Moylan proved last year he could also handle the increased defensive workload at five-eighth.

Moylan was the shock selection at six for the Blues in their dead rubber win last year, where he completed 18 of his 19 tackles against Queensland.

“He played Origin there, so I think he’d be used to it,” Peachey said.

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin is likely to make a number of changes to the team that defeated Newcastle before last week’s bye, with injuries to Cartwright and Peter Wallace.

Mitch Rein is expected to make his club debut for the Panthers at hooker, while winger Josh Mansour is also set to make his long-awaited return from a knee reconstruction.

Peachey said Mansour’s inclusion would be a huge boost for the team.

“He tops the carries every week he plays and gets the most metres almost every time he plays. To have him back, it’s going to be awesome,” he said.

“He’s had a good rehab, he’s looking bigger and better than last year. I think you’re going to see the influence he has on the team straight away.”

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