Moylan hoses down hype of Panthers rematch

Cronulla Sharks five-eighth Matt Moylan is known for his evasive skills on the paddock and he showed some off it as well when playing down the much-hyped clash with his former club Penrith on Friday night.

Moylan's switch has drawn attention on each occasion he's played his old side this season with debate over whether he or James Maloney, who went from Cronulla to Penrith, has been the best buy.

The Sharks have the upper hand over Penrith in 2018 with two wins in the regular season and hold a dominant 9-2 record since 2011.

It will mark the first time both clubs will meet in a finals game with the losing team's season coming to an end.

"I've obviously played them a couple of times during the year so it's not like it's the first time we've played them but it's a bigger occasion," Moylan said on Tuesday.

"It's going to get written about and spoken about enough. We've already played each other, it's been a headline with us swapping clubs.

"I haven't watched them. I'll go into it like it's another game. Obviously it's going to be spoken about but it's a semi-final. I don't read into it, I haven't spoken to any of them."

Moylan said he had enjoyed his first season in the Shire and was focused on guiding the side to a second premiership in three seasons.

The 27-year-old has 15 tries and line-break assists after 22 appearances after a permanent move to five-eighth in 2018.

"It's a good lifestyle, club and group of blokes and coaching staff," Moylan said.

"I just want to play footy. It's a big game for us as a club to keep our season alive."

Moylan was confident the Sharks' ability to grind out a victory will be enough to rattle Maloney and the Panthers.

"The style of footy that Cronulla have always played it's been that tough footy and they make you really earn it," Moylan said.

"We just weren't playing consistent enough to do that sometimes against the Roosters."

Meanwhile, Scott Sorensen has been been named to replace injured leader Wade Graham and rookie Jesse Ramien was again named on an extended bench as he looks to overcome an ankle injury.

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