Vancouver Leather wrote:Sorry Sep. I’ve made a few comments on Facebook but not here yet.
I am very, very happy with the signing of Matt Moylan. I have seen a lot of him over the last couple of seasons at Cronulla and got instantly excited when his name was first floated. I was not as excited about Milford to be honest as he has been a hot and cold player all season. We don’t need hot and cold, we need a quality 6, who will be an equal threat to Lam when they split, and a perfect foil when they go together. Moylan is that guy.
He has been almost ever present at standoff for The Sharks over the last two seasons, which is what counts for me, Some people have been posting about his injury issues, but his playing record in the last two seasons is contrary to what some have said, and it speaks for itself. He missed just a couple of games in 2022 when the Sharks finished 2nd, and 3-4 games in 2023 when the Sharks finished 6th. He was a first choice stand-off for the entirety of 2022, and the first 16 games of 2023, until he picked up an injury. He missed a couple of games but then returned to the 17, for the rest of the season, starting from the bench. The other question has been his defence. Again in the last couple of seasons, I have not seen huge concerns myself.
Full disclosure, he did look like a different player for a couple of seasons before the last two seasons, and did have recurring injury problems (hamstring and calf) but a change of coach to Craig Fitzgibbon reignited his game, and I get the impression that Fitzgibbon’s style of player management and team building is very similar to our very own A Lam.
Moylan was/is also a very accomplished fullback (earlier in career) but he has been more seen in the stand-off position in recent years.
L Lam will love the lesser attention that will have to come with Moylan on the field as well, and our backs and fast running forwards, will love his ball distribution and especially his delayed balls and cutout passes. He’s done it all in the NRL, including Captain, State of Origin and was also a member of the Australian squad at one point.
The photos of him in the gym and on the training pitch since he arrived, show a trim and smiling player.
My opening statement of a “very, very happy” Leyther is maybe even an understatement. I loved Ben Reynolds as he always gave 100%, and I believe became his best self in the last couple of seasons. I heartily thank him for all he has done. Moylan however is in my mind, the next level we have sometimes lacked in the 6 shirt.

Septimius Severus wrote:Thanks, Vanners, much happier now. A good player does not go bad in one season. His highlights reel from 2022 is amazing. I hope A Lam can get the best from him. Does he play Left or Right or both? I kind of like having midfield generals who can terrorise both sides, although L Lam is particularly suited to the Left, even though he appears to be left-handed.

satanicmills wrote:injury record is a concern will he be vfm at 5/6 times what we was paying Ben
have we spent all us dinner money we could do with a direct running centre.
can our aged back line repeat the heroics of last year history says odds against

Septimius Severus wrote:Thanks, Vanners, much happier now. A good player does not go bad in one season. His highlights reel from 2022 is amazing. I hope A Lam can get the best from him. Does he play Left or Right or both? I kind of like having midfield generals who can terrorise both sides, although L Lam is particularly suited to the Left, even though he appears to be left-handed.

Cokey wrote:TBF - recruitment could still be ongoing, and i'm sure the club will know which key positions they need to strengthen.

Cokey wrote:Which thread, and page Jack?

Septimius Severus wrote:Cokey, save you the hardwork (busy little beavers those Wakey fans).

"Pat Bateman wrote:
Quality signing that in my opinion. Spooks the forums Sharks expert, be interesting to get his opinion."

"I've always admired Matty and was thrilled when he signed for the Sharkies ... honestly though, he has never really fired in a sharks shirt.. on occasion he can be brilliant... but those occasions have been few and far between for a couple of seasons now. He's been a player I've always been excited to see on the team sheet but usually a bit disappointed by his performance.

He's probably an upgrade for Leigh on Reynolds but (IMO) he's no longer a game changing star.

his signing also perpetuates that SL is an NRL retirement village."

Jack Gaskell wrote:Hi Cokey.
Many apologies for not responding sooner to your post - I have been away for a couple of days and I am just catching up on what's been said on this forum but I see that Septi has already kindly responded with cutting and pasting the exact views of the Wakey fan on Matty that I was referring to - thanks Septi