Merrin backs in Girffin’s future as Penrith coach

Panthers forward Trent Merrin has backed in coach Anthony Griffin as the guy to take the club forward.

There are talks that Griffin is under pressure to retain his position amid reports of a mid-season review by the club on Monday, but Merrin has faith in the Panthers' current direction.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it. It’s all fine from the inside. Nothing has been said, nothing has changed at all inside these walls here,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“Everything that has been said has been whispers that have been blown out of proportion.”

Following consecutive losses to the Roosters and Sea Eagles, Griffin is weary that the pressure is mounting on the club at a circumstantial time.

“We’re in the spotlight. Everyone has got their desires for us to get to where we want to get to so if we do slip a little bit they are going to be on us,” he said.

“We’ve got a big role to play but we’re heading into the right direction, we’ve got a big job on against the Warriors and that’s our main focus.”

The 28-year old added that the Origin period had been a significant challenge for the Panthers.

“The origin period does take a toll on the squad, players are in and out of the team,” he said.

“As a group though we are still confident with how we have been going. We need to fix up a few areas but that’s a simple job."

The Panthers will be without New South Wales representatives Nathan Cleary, James Maloney and Tyrone Peachey for their clash against New Zealand on Friday night.

And Merrin, a former Blue, detailed how Origin was tough gig to come back from.

“They’ve done exceptionally well to get back and put the team first and do the best they possibly can,” he said.

“At the end of the day it’s a tough gig to come back, the energy levels aren’t going to be up to where we need them to be.”

“It’s up to us, the other boys, that aren’t in those teams to really lift and rise to the occasion. I think we have slipped a little bit there, we could have done a better job.”

Tyrone May and Jaerome Luai will come in for the Panthers crucial clash with the Warriors, replacing Cleary and Maloney in the halves.