PENRITH have reinstalled Matt Moylan as skipper for Sunday’s blockbuster against Cronulla, despite speculation he wants to throw in the captaincy.

There was confusion on Tuesday when the Panthers lodged their official team with the NRL without a captain for the must-win game against the Sharks.

The Daily Telegraph understands Moylan, who was one if three high-profile Panthers dumped to NSW Cup last week for a booze breach, is giving serious thought to stepping down from up the top job.

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The club is poised to name Peter Wallace as the new permanent captain should Moylan pull the pin. He has struggled this year with the extra responsibility, which has affected his form and possibly jeopardised his hopes of playing for Australia in the Anzac Test.

Sources insist Moylan is looking forward to less responsibility on and off the field in hope of recapturing the form, which earned him an Origin call-up last year and Mal Meninga taking him on the Four Nations tour.

Penrith coach Anthony Griffin said he was happy to reinstate Moylan as skipper.

When asked about Moylan’s concerns about the captaincy affecting his own game, Griffin said: “You’ll have to speak with him. I won’t get into what might happen. He’s the captain of our club.’’

media_camera Moylan‘s indiscretion hasn’t affected his standing at Penrith. Photo: Gregg Porteous

Griffin was impressed with the way Moylan and teammates Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku responded to their axing after they had stayed out late in Melbourne a week earlier following the Storm loss.

“I was more concerned with what they did last week, they trained very well and applied themselves very well to the (NSW Cup) game on the weekend,’’ Griffin said.

“That was good to see. From my end, there was never any concern that wasn’t going to happen.’’

Daily Telegraph sports editor-at-large Phil Rothfield wrote a column saying Griffin had overreacted by standing down Moylan and his mates.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,’’ Griffin said.

“I didn’t make the decision based on how I thought it would be perceived in the media. But I understand everyone has an opinion on it. It’s football.’’

Griffin is prepared to make the tough calls, with his triple dumping publicly supported by the players.

Moylan, Hiku and Blake all looked in good spirits at training on Monday.

Tyrone Peachey (ribs) was named at centre, James Fisher-Harris (eye socket) in the backrow, while Bryce Cartwright (ankle) was listed in the No.21 jersey.

The Panthers remain favourites with the bookies, despite losing four of their opening six games and coming up against the premiers who beat Melbourne in their own backyard on Sunday.