They may have breathed life into their finals aspirations, but Penrith also had a glimpse of the future in their inspired six-point win over Cronulla.
With their finals chances on a knife’s edge heading into the contest, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary opted for three debutants for Friday’s crucial encounter.
And while all three made a good first impression, it was a standout performance from another youngster that ensures a bright future for Penrith.
Without veteran James Maloney by his side, it was Ivan’s son and halfback Nathan Cleary who shone in the 26-20 triumph.
Cleary either scored or played a hand in all four of the Panthers’ tries, while kicking a perfect four goals from four attempts in an assured display.
His performance came as 19-year-old playmaker Matt Burton and 18-year-olds Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu all made their first appearances.
Ivan admitted Nathan revelled in the extra responsibility.
“We had a chat the other day about how he started the year as the youngest in the team and tonight there must’ve been 5-6 guys younger than him,” Ivan said.
“That allows him to feel like he’s more of a leader, which means he’ll naturally do.
“Tonight was, without Jimmy, definitely a really big night for him to be able to lead the team around. I thought he did a great job.”
The three debutants were the most Penrith had featured in a single match since 1993, and increased their number of rookies this year to a league-high eight.
Six started against the Sharks, with a seventh on the bench.
Cleary was proud of the efforts from all three of his first-gamers, with Crichton showing serious courage to defuse a tricky bomb late in the contest.
“Whenever you debut anybody, they’re going to be talented. But I was really confident that the three of the boys have good temperament,” Cleary said.
“Stephen showed that at the end of the game.
“I thought Matt Burton was good in that sense as well.
“And young Spence, unfortunately when he came on, he had to defend about five sets in a row, blew out a bit, but that was always going to happen.
“It was a bit of a night of the future for our team and our club tonight.”