In putting an end to weeks of media speculation and behind the scenes negotiations, the Sharks can officially announce that Matt Moylan, a player with International and State of Origin experience, has joined the Club on a four-year deal effective immediately.
Having represented the Kangaroos in 2016, while also playing all three games of the State of Origin series for NSW that same year, Moylan is set to bring class, versatility and x-factor to the Sharks back line in 2018.
Equally comfortable in the fullback or five eighth roles, Moylan’s signing provides coach Shane Flanagan with some exciting options for next season and beyond.
“To have Matt on board is going to add a few things to our team, especially offensively,” Flanagan said. “He can play in the halves, he can play fullback. He’s got great versatility, he’ll fit into our team and give us some depth in those positions and he’s not too fussed where he plays.
“I think it’s a great signing for the club and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
As for Moylan, from the middle of his new rugby league home at Southern Cross Group Stadium, he expressed his excitement about signing with the Sharks, while explaining his willingness to step into whatever role best suited the team.
“It’s a new chapter in my career and I’m looking forward to getting out here and playing some good footy,” Moylan said. “I’m excited about the new opportunity and wherever I end up playing I’ll be happy.
“Hopefully I can have a good off-season and hit the ground running next year.”
The switch to Cronulla sees Moylan reunite with a handful of close friends and former teammates, including Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham and James Segeyaro.
“That will make (the move) a little easier,” he said. “It’s all good from what they’ve said to me.”
Speaking at a media conference while in camp with the Kangaroos, Graham was confident his childhood mate in Moylan, the pair growing up just two kilometres apart, would turn out to be a positive addition to the Sharks squad.
“I have known Matty since we were eight or nine. I was in Blacktown, he was in Doonside,” Graham said.
“I feel like he’d really fit into our playing group. He can easily be the best player in the team, the best player on the field, in any game he plays. Hopefully we can see the best of Matty Moylan on the field next year.”
Moylan attended an induction and underwent some fitness testing at Sharks earlier today and is expected to commence his pre-season campaign as early as next week.
He joins Kangaroos centre Josh Dugan, Souths outside back Aaron Gray, front rowers Ava Seumanufagai and Braden Uele, along with returning local junior Scott Sorensen, as the Sharks new faces for 2018.
Matt Moylan Fact File
DOB – 16-6-1991
Junior Club – St Pats Blacktown
89 NRL games
29 tries
28 goals
1 Test for Australia
3 games for NSW
NRL debut – Panthers v Eels, round 7, 2013
