Matt Moylan's indefinite leave can only hurt Penrith ahead of this Saturday's elimination final against Manly, according to Sea Eagles star Jake Trbojevic.
The Sea Eagles attempted to skirt around the impact the loss of Moylan will have on Penrith this weekend at a Tuesday media session, and insist they haven't spoken about it as a group.
But given his influence as Panthers captain, and in the team's attack, there's little doubt Moylan will be sorely missed.
In his eight games in the No.6 jersey this year, Moylan has scored four tries and set up four others for the Panthers.
He has also been a key point of impetus for the side, having averaged one line-break assist per game.
And Trbojevic admitted that losing your captain on the eve of the finals would be a hit to any team.
"It would be tough if we lost Chez (Daly Cherry-Evans)," Trbojevic said.
"He's been such a big part of us this year and he has played some good footy and been a great leader.
"For us it would be very tough if we lost him, so it it would be very hard for them."
Moylan's battered hamstring may have stopped him from facing the Sea Eagles this weekend, even if he wasn't granted indefinite leave by the Panthers on Monday.
He has played just two of the Panthers' past six games, and missed Saturday night's final-round 28-12 loss to the Sea Eagles.
But with his future under a cloud over the weekend and he now given time away from the game, Penrith-turned-Manly forward Lewis Brown said his former teammates unavailability might only galvanise the Panthers.
"I hope Matt is alright," Brown said.
"But I'm pretty sure they are a professional club and professional team.
"They'll band around him and around the team and they'll want to do the Penrith area proud this weekend."
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