Wests Tigers youngster Blake Austin is on the verge of being handed the biggest opportunity of his NRL career, but knows he only has a limited time to take it.
Austin is set to assume the starting five-eighth role this Friday night against Manly, with Braith Anasta's career hanging in the balance due to a partially torn bicep.
Anasta, who has all but confirmed he will retire at the end of the season, will meet a surgeon on Wednesday to determine if he can play on through the pain or whether he'll be forced to call a premature end to his stellar 15 years of service to the game.
Impressive Penrith recruit Austin deserves his shot as a starting playmaker, but will be under immediate pressure - not only to guide the Tigers to a top-eight finish but to bookmark himself as the first-choice option for 2015.
Next-big-thing Mitchell Moses might have made his debut at fullback last week, but long-term his future at Tiger-town would appear to be in the No.6 jersey.
Austin says all he needs is a chance, and then the rest is up to him.
"Mitch is a good young kid. It's undeniable. He's going to be a freak of the game," said Austin.
"It's time for me to stand up and possibly lead the team around leading into the finals if Braith isn't right. I guess you could say it's my biggest shot.
"If I want to play good enough I'm sure Mick's (coach Mick Potter) going to put me in there (next year). And if I don't, he's going to look for other answers.
"It comes down to me.
"I'm pretty well aware of what's on offer if I'm good enough at this club."
Tigers players expect Anasta to do everything he can to get back out on the field before the season's out - however it's unclear yet if that will be possible.
"I'd say (he'd be desperate to play on) but I tore a pec last year and I'm not sure how different a bicep is to a pec but I definitely couldn't have played," said prop Keith Galloway.
Coach Potter has emphasised the importance of the experienced Anasta partnering young halfback Luke Brooks this season - however Austin has been strong in his role off the bench.
The 23-year-old says at the Tigers he's found the professionalism he lacked at the Panthers.
"I feel like I've been playing some pretty good footy and I'm ready for another crack at the starting team," Austin said.
"I need to find some consistency now."
Austin says Anasta has been a source of support all year and expects him to be so this week as well.
"I want his spot, so you can have a bit of a negative feeling towards him - but you can't because he's such a great guy," he said.
"He understands I want to be the No.6 so he checks on how I'm doing."
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