Panthers expect banned trio to make amends

Matt EncarnacionAAP
A banned trio including Matt Moylan are expected to return to Penrith's NRL team this week.
Camera IconA banned trio including Matt Moylan are expected to return to Penrith's NRL team this week.

Penrith's James Tamou expects the team's banned trio, including skipper Matt Moylan, to make amends when they make an expected return to the NRL team this week.

Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake re-joined their first grade teammates for training on Monday after being dropped for missing a curfew the week prior.

Asked if he felt the three players would have a point to prove against Cronulla on Sunday, Tamou said: "Absolutely. It was hard for them. You could see it in their faces.

"That's what discipline is all about. I've had my fair share, and I know they'll learn from it. They'll be devastated - they would've felt they let the team down."

The former Australian international believes it was an important stance for coach Anthony Griffin to take, despite the Panthers going down by one point against South Sydney on Friday.

They were instead forced to play reserve grade in a losing effort the following day.

"I've learnt from a young age it's important - you're letting the team down by doing these things. But they would've learnt their lesson from it," Tamou said.

"They felt like they let the boys down and they'll be looking to make amends."

The loss against the Rabbitohs left the pre-season premiership favourites in 12th spot on the competition ladder with just two wins from their opening six matches.

But second-rower Isaah Yeo refused to pin their latest loss on the club's sanctioning of the trio, saying the players who filled in were among their best on the night.

"Everyone understood why Hook did it. That's the culture we're trying to build at Penrith. He understands we're all young men and mistakes like that are going to happen," he said.

"In terms of the match and the overall performance of the team, I don't think we can put anything down to that at all. I thought the people who came in were outstanding for us.

"It was just a few little key moments there where we obviously let in a few soft tries. But effort-wise I thought it was really good."

Tyrone Peachey (ribs) and James Fisher-Harris (eye socket) also participated in the field session, however second-rower Bryce Cartwright (ankle) was a notable absentee.

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