Matt Moylan has had to make a few lifestyle adjustments since swapping Sydney for North West England. For starters, there is no beach in Leigh as there was in his former home of Cronulla.
The new Leigh Leopards recruit has, however, settled quickly into life with the Betfred Super League club and is excited to show just why head coach Adrian Lam and owner Derek Beaumont saw him as a vital piece of the jigsaw to build on the historic success of 2023.
There is one thing Moylan is missing, however: Getting out on the golf course, having left his clubs back in Australia. Fortunately, though, he has persuaded his father to bring them over with him when he visits ahead of the new Super League season.
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“I wouldn’t say I am a good golfer, but I do like getting out there and having a hack,” Moylan told Sky Sports.
“I actually didn’t bring my golf clubs over, but my old man is coming over next week so I have actually managed to get him to bring them over for me.
“It will be good to get them over here and when the weather gets good, get out there and get a few games in.”
The 32-year-old full-back or stand-off arrives in Super League on the back of an impressive NRL career with Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks, racking up 191 appearances in total, and playing all three games in the No 1 shirt for New South Wales in the 2016 State of Origin series.
This is not his first time in the UK either, having toured with Australia during the 2016 Four Nations, earning his sole Test cap in the 54-12 win over Scotland, and he is keen to explore more of the country he will be calling home for at least the next two years when he has an opportunity.
As far as rugby league goes, though, Moylan is excited to be joining a club which attracted as much attention for its Leopards rebrand last year as it did for claiming a first Betfred Challenge Cup triumph for over a half a century and defying the expectations of many pundits to reach the Super League play-offs.
Moylan, clad in his black with leopard-print sleeves Leigh hoodie while talking at the Super League season launch, was aware of the bold new makeover Beaumont had given the club in Australia and is embracing building on the success of last year now he is on board.
“I knew it was Leigh Centurions and they changed to Leigh Leopards, I didn’t know the background behind it,” Moylan said.
Obviously seeing the success last year, it is probably a side that started last year under the radar with having just been promoted but I think off the back of the success, now it comes with expectation.
“Obviously seeing the success last year, it is probably a side that started last year under the radar with having just been promoted but I think off the back of the success, now it comes with expectation.
“Hopefully we can go deliver on that consistency and put ourselves in positions to win each week.”
Having had his interest in joining Leigh piqued by his former Cronulla and now Leigh team-mate Ricky Leutele, Moylan is ready to get going in his first competitive outing when the Leopards host Huddersfield Giants in their season-opener on Friday, live on Sky Sports Mix.
Even though he is new to the club, Moylan has sensed the optimism in the Leigh camp following last year’s exploits, although he knows they can take nothing for granted as he and his team-mates aim to keep the Leopards firmly on the map.
Matt Moylan won a Test cap for Australia against Scotland in 2016
“Off the back of that the boys have gained a lot of confidence, and it shows in the way that everyone is preparing and training,” Moylan said.
“It is an opportunity for us as a club to go out there and back up a season where they have had success.
“We have got some goals that we have set and work towards but all that comes back to is working hard in training and games and being consistent.”
Watch Leigh Leopards kick off their campaign at home to Huddersfield Giants, plus every match of the 2024 Betfred Super League season, live on Sky Sports Arena on Friday, February 16 (8pm kick-off). Also stream contract-free with NOW.
