THE date for when Penrith will once again venture to Bathurst to play their third NRL match at Carrington Park in as many years might now be set in stone, but just who will be wearing the number six jumper for the Panthers is far from certain.
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Jamie Soward is the leading contender, but new Penrith coach Andy Griffin is yet to settle on his halves combination for 2016.
The 2016 NRL draw was released late last week and with it came the news the Panthers would be taking on the Canberra Raiders at Carrington Park on Saturday, April 30.
The round nine match will kick off at 3pm, the game the third to be played as part of a five-year deal which Penrith signed with Bathurst Regional Council.
When the first of those games was played at Bathurst, Soward kicked two conversions in an 18-16 loss to the Sharks on July 26.
Earlier this year it was a better day for the five-eighth as the Panthers romped to a 40-0 win over the Gold Coast Titans, Soward once more partnering Peter Wallace in the halves.
While not crossing the stripe himself, Soward finished with two try assists, made eight tackles and gained 25 metres for his side when opting to run the ball.
Soward has two years left on his current deal with the Panthers and while there has been speculation about his future with the club, he is determined to stay.
Griffin, who replaced Ivan Cleary as coach in late October, challenged the former NSW Origin player to show how much he wanted the five-eighth job.
It is challenge Soward has risen to.
“He is training well, he is doing everything he needs to do,” Griffin said at a fan day at Panthers Leagues on Saturday.
“There is no pressure on him.
“I have come in and I have high expectations on myself to make sure I do the best possible job I can and that is all I am looking for from everyone else. If we all do that, we will make the most of the talent here.”
Matt Moylan, who continues to recover from an ankle injury suffered in May, is likely to play fullback.
He was outstanding in that position when the Panthers beat the Titans at Carrington Park on March 14. Moylan had three try assists and two line breaks, while he made more metres - 210 - than any other player on the field.
Moylan has been linked to a frontline role with the Panthers, but that may not come until 2017. Wallace is off contract with Penrith at the end of next season and Moylan could fill his spot in the halves.
In the meantime, Griffin is unlikely to commit to who plays where for the Panthers until the new year.
“I came in and didn’t know anyone and I am still here and still working and I will make those decisions closer to the season when I have a better handle on everything,” he said.