Jamal Idris says the best thing the Penrith Panthers can do following their NRL finals' exit, is to take the the disappointment to heart.
Panthers players are confident this year's fairy tale rise is only the start.
But they've vowed to remember the pain they felt following their mistake-riddled 18-12 preliminary final loss to Canterbury and ensure they are better for it.
Idris backed Matt Moylan to excel in a Kangaroos jumper should he be called into the Australian squad for the Four Nations tournament and said the brilliant fullback was just one of several young Panthers who will only grow from this year's experience.
However, Penrith first need to have a long look in the mirror after throwing away a golden shot at a grand final berth.
Idris says he and teammates can't be satisfied at exceeding expectations in 2014, they need to be frank about the opportunity missed.
"Do you know what, it's going to hurt. And that's a good thing," Idris told AAP.
"I hope it does hurt because if it doesn't hurt it means we didn't care enough about it.
"It's something we can come back in the off-season and bust our guts in training and remember the feeling of that pain and strive to improve on it.
"Gus (Phil Gould) had a five-year plan and things are coming along beautifully if you look at it from that point of view."
Idris credited coach Ivan Cleary and trainer Ron Palmer for reinvigorating his career, after he took a mid-year break due to personal reasons.
The one-time Kangaroos representative has been in outstanding form, aside from an uncharacteristically sloppy performance against the Bulldogs where he let a try go begging, threw an intercept and made a crucial error at the death.
Idris says he can't wait to come back for more next season.
"Personally, I'm hungry and the thing that makes me even happier is the fact there's 16 other blokes who are just as hungry," he said.
"I'm stoked with the way I've put my head down.
"Every single player we asked to do the job, they've come up and produced a magical moment in the NRL.
"Throughout the year, (Moylan) has stepped up every time ... he's a big game player and there's not many people you can say that about in their second year.
"If you put him in the Kangaroos team he'll produce."
Panthers back-rower Lewis Brown played down the miraculous tackle which saw him hold up Sam Perrett over the line on Saturday night.
"Your instinct just takes over and that's what happened," said Brown, who is confident the Panthers won't regress.
"I don't think we'll go backwards. We've set a benchmark now."
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