Moylan shouldn't oust May: Andrew Johns

Sep 10, 2017 - 2:50 AM Matt Moylan shouldn't reclaim his spot in Penrith's halves even if he is declared available for this week's NRL semi-final against Brisbane, says Andrew Johns.

Moylan hasn't trained with the Panthers since being granted leave to deal with "personal issues" last Monday, while he has also battled a hamstring injury.

Following Saturday night's elimination win over Manly, coach Anthony Griffin said he was unsure whether the club's captain would be available for Friday's do-or-die clash with the Broncos.

League great Johns said he would prefer to keep rookie Tyrone May in the No.6 jersey alongside Nathan Cleary in the halves.

"I couldn't put him (Moylan) up ahead of Tyrone May," Johns told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"They complement each other so well."

Cleary again appeared composed beyond his years alongside May on Saturday night, setting up one try while he controlled the game late with his kicking.

May has scored five tries in his first eight NRL games, along with one try assist and two line-break assists.

Another option could be to drop May back to the bench if Moylan does go to five-eighth, a tactic Griffin employed in rounds 23 and 24.

Penrith great Brad Fittler suggested Moylan could slip back into his original position of fullback in place of Dylan Edwards if he did return to the team.

"Dylan Edwards last night, in slippery conditions he had a couple of opportunities around the back, didn't get the pass away but it was pretty slippery," Fittler said.

"Would Matty come around .... You've only got a couple of opportunities in those games."

Moylan sat in the players' area for Saturday night's elimination win over Manly, and was in good spirits in the Panthers' sheds after the victory.

"It was awesome, I haven't seen him all week," Cleary said.

"To see him in the hotel before we left, I got a real boost from it and I'm sure all the other boys did.

"Obviously he is going through a bit of a tough time at the moment, for him to come out and still support us was a credit to him.

Source: AAP