Matt Moylan

Without injured co-captains Paul Gallen (knee) and Wade Graham (hamstring), the Sharks needed Moylan and fellow off-season recruit Josh Dugan to stand up after losing Luke Lewis to a calf injury in the 13th minute. The pair delivered in arguably their best performances since joining the club to spark the Sharks to a gritty 26-22 win.

Edwards was the Panthers' next best behind Moylan as Penrith snatched a late 24-20 victory over the Raiders in Bathurst on Saturday.

Moylan took out man-of-the-match against Scotland, setting up four first-half tries in the 54-12 rout.

The Penrith Panthers skipper spoke of his pride of representing the country – especially after not playing a single game during the 2014 Four Nations despite being included in the Australian squad.

The Panthers captain walked away from the 54-12 win with an impressive four try-assists and a set of sore ribs after this hit in the first half.

With Darius Boyd waiting in the wings and Greg Inglis not playing this match, Moylan’s performance created some headaches for coach Mal Meninga.

School children, men and women swarmed to the airport as early as 1pm to catch a glimpse of their rugby league heroes.

The flight’s delay and the sun's heat did nothing to move the crowd.

The plane finally touched down at Jackson’s International Airport just after 3pm and was met by cheering and chanting for players like Greg Inglis, James Tedesco and Matt Moylan.

The airport erupted as the Australian team walked out to board their bus.

Police and airport security had to fight back the crowd, who then chased after the team bus that left for Holiday Inn.

At every opportunity during his 11-minute interview Walters spoke glowingly of the Blues' No.1 and the threat he poses to the Maroons' bid to wrap up the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Despite showing a vulnerability under the high ball at club level and coming up with what could have been a calamitous fumble in the in-goal in Game One, Moylan is the man the Maroons have singled out as key to the NSW attack in what both coaches are predicting will be a more open style of game than was witnessed in Game One.

This is when the Panthers take on local rivals the Eels on Sunday afternoon.

It will be a bittersweet moment for Moylan, who debuted against the Eels in 2013 but also suffered the season-ending foot injury when the sides met last season.

His teammates are looking forward to running out alongside their new skipper, with Panthers forward Jeremy Latimore hoping Moylan's return can give his side the attacking impetus they've been looking for.