Newcastle coach Nathan Brown is set to stick with star Kalyn Ponga at five-eighth for at least another week after a classy first-up audition in the halves.
Moved from fullback into the frontline due to concerns about an ongoing ankle injury, Ponga had four errors but set up a crucial first-half try in the Knights' 20-12 upset of Penrith.
And it was enough for Brown to yearn for more in next week's match against Cronulla.
"He'll probably stay there again next week. We'll see how his ankle pulls up," Brown said.
"He's a good footy player so I'm not sure it really matters where we put him or who coaches him or what clubs he plays for, he's going to play good."
A possible long-term move to five-eighth for Ponga could create a selection headache for Brown, who has partnered Connor Watson with Mitchell Pearce for most of the season.
Watson has missed the past month with a groin injury but is likely to be available for selection to take on the Sharks on Sunday.
Brown said it is up to Ponga where he would be more comfortable playing.
"It's Kalyn's career, so you need to ask him that question to be honest with you," he said.
"Him and Connor are both good at five-eighth and fullback so it's more of a question for Kalyn more than it is for me. Obviously I'm the coach but it's his career and he's only a young kid.
"He did come to us to play fullback but if he wants to stay at five-eighth, I don't think Pearcey would be unhappy. I don't think the team would be if he wants to play fullback.
"But they are good little footy players, both him and Connor.
"They are quite interchangeable in the long run."
Pearce said the team's defence, which Brown hailed as their best effort of the season, allowed him and Ponga to maintain pressure against the Panthers.
It was just the second time in the past three months they held a team to less than 13 points.
"I thought we scrambled really well for each other in defence. We worked for the guy outside of us for 80 minutes and that gives your key opportunities to lay on some set pieces," Pearce said.
"This was one of the first weeks (Kalyn and I) got to train together.
"I felt like we combined really well in a couple of those tries. I love playing with Kalyn. Everyone's stoked that he's at the Knights and he's had an unbelievable season."
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