Star halfback Nathan Cleary has guided an inexperienced Penrith team back into the NRL top eight with a stirring 26-20 ambush of Cronulla.
Cleary produced arguably the best game of his burgeoning career by either scoring or playing a hand in all four of the Panthers’ tries on Friday night.
The NSW State of Origin playmaker also kicked four goals from four attempts.
His sorely needed effort came in a Penrith side without veteran James Maloney and fielding three debutants for the first time in a game since 1993.
With his team teetering on the edge of finals contention, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary gambled on teenagers Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton, and Spencer Leniu.
With former general manager Phil Gould and ex-coach Anthony Griffin in rival commentary boxes, there were plenty of eyes on the stuttering club.
And there were more moments of anxiety after Cronulla dramatically reduced a 16-point deficit to 10 with 15 minutes to play.
A Sosaia Feki try in the 75th minute set up a grandstand finish.
But, despite giving away 1356 games of NRL experience away, the Penrith cubs held on to snap their two-game losing streak and steal the Sharks’ top-eight spot.
An energetic Panthers side ignited the home crowd of 10,860 who braved the single-digit temperatures by bursting out to a 20-4 halftime lead.
Panthers second-rower Liam Martin made his intentions known when his textbook tackle into the ribs of Matt Prior knocked the prop out of the game.
And with the exception of a 32nd minute try to Wade Graham, Penrith went out to own the first half inspired by Cleary and the rest of the Panthers cubs.
With more than 100 friends and family in the stands, Burton set up the first try with a 15th minute grubber-kick for Brent Naden early in the set.
A Cleary right foot step ended in Edwards finishing off a 45m movement, before Cleary made it a 16-lead halftime break with his solo effort.