Moylan set for return to fullback in 2018

The Cronulla Sharks have announced the signing of Matt Moylan on a four-year deal, completing a swap with the Penrith Panthers for James Maloney.

But just because he’s swapped with Maloney, it doesn’t exactly mean he’ll remain at five-eighth.

The player merry-go-round has been in full swing this year, picking up even more so since the seasons end. Cooper Cronk to the Roosters, James Maloney to Penrith, Matt Moylan to the Sharks. All three have played for the Kangaroos in the last 12 months, yet have made off-season switches to new clubs. But that’s not where the player movements will end, supposedly.

To provide an update, Jarryd Hayne is being considered for a move to five-eighth for the Gold Coast to get his hands on the ball more often. This would see Kane Elgey released, most likely to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Elegy's signing would see Blake Green take up a big money move with the New Zealand Warriors.

But the biggest player here is undoubtedly Mitchell Pearce.

The Rooster’s half is being chased by Cronulla, Newcastle and Manly, while Brisbane and Melbourne have also been touted as dark horses for the halfback’s signature.

But with Cronulla remaining in the race for Pearce, it clearly signals Shane Flanagan’s intention for Moylan – to return to the fullback role in 2018.

Despite already having Valentine Holmes on the books alongside new recruit Josh Dugan, Moylan is set to slide past both of the Origin incumbents and snare the custodian role.

The move will see Moylan run out in the fullback role, with Dugan and Holmes forming a deadly right edge combination, with Ricky Leutele, Siosaia Feki and Aaron Gray to fight it out for the left edge winger and centre positions, Gray the man most likely to miss the cut.

However, if Cronulla can’t manage to snare Pearce, then Moylan will more than likely slot into the five-eighth role, with Holmes moving to the back and Gray on the right edge.

Moylan’s best position has been debated for years now, though basing it off statistics, it appears certain that the Blues’ utilities have to be in the number one jersey.

In 8 games in the halves, Moylan has averaged 0.5 try assists per game, while in 2016, after spending the entire year at the back, Moylan assisted 21 tries in 21 games.

Whether Matt Moylan spends 2018 in the halves or at fullback, it seems certain that Cronulla will have one the deadliest backlines in the competition in 2018.