Penrith face calls to relieve embattled star Matt Moylan of the NRL club's captaincy when he returns from leave to address personal issues.
Cronulla captain Paul Gallen believes Moylan might have been made leader too young and lacked support as he struggled with the burden.
"You need help around you ... I didn't see too much of that at Penrith with Matt Moylan," Gallen told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday.
"The whole responsibility was shouldered on him and I didn't feel he looked comfortable with it.
"(He) certainly faced some tough times this year and, as I said, just as an outsider looking in, I didn't see a lot of help going his way.
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"I could tell at press conferences, media days, and this is just me talking, he didn't look real comfortable in front of the cameras on his own.
"To be thrust in as a captain at such a young age, and so much expectation on yourself, it's a hard job. People don't understand what a hard job it is."
Moylan is unlikely to play any part in the Panthers' finals series after being granted indefinite leave on Monday.
Following speculation the 26-year-old was on the outer at Penrith, club general manager Phil Gould said Moylan had struggled with the pressure of captaincy and form but had a long-term commitment to the club.
Panthers great Mark Geyer believes Moylan should not be captain in 2018.
"I don't think the captaincy sits well with Matty," Geyer told Triple M Sydney on Tuesday.
"I think he needs to be a bit of a free soul on the footy field.
"At the moment, him having that extra burden as captain has stifled his play."
Geyer, who played 135 games for the Panthers, said he agreed with Moylan's decision to take leave if he wasn't "committed in mind, body and soul".
The Panthers face Manly in an elimination final on Saturday.
"As a Panthers fan, I'm disappointed our best player won't be running out this Saturday night but ... I just hope he gets himself right," Geyer said.
Gould said Panthers officials would discuss the prospect of Moylan retaining his leadership role when he returned.
The former NSW State of Origin star was into his second year as club captain.
