Blake Austin appears a certain starter for the Wests Tigers on Sunday, with teammates backing the Penrith junior to make a statement at fullback against his former club.
Young gun Mitchell Moses is in line to make his NRL debut against the Panthers but, with Austin virtually cleared of an ankle problem, the nephew of Tigers great Benny Elias might have to continue biding his time in the NSW Cup.
Moses trained alongside Austin on Thursday and could always be a late inclusion on the bench to provide backline cover, but it seems coach Mick Potter is showing faith in five-eighth utility Austin to move positions and fill the shoes of injured star James Tedesco.
Austin was shown the door at the Panthers last year and Tigers veteran Dene Halatau senses the 23-year-old has something to prove to the club who shunted him.
"Given it's a game against his old club, he has a chance at fullback to show them what they're missing out on by letting him go," Halatau said.
"Austo has had a great year. He's a pretty talented guy and, at Penrith, he was earmarked as a future half. He's come over here for an opportunity ... and he's been outstanding.
"You probably wouldn't have thought about Austo being (at fullback) but he played 80 minutes there last week with Teddy going off and he looked good."
Young halfback Luke Brooks has played alongside Moses since they started as year-seven classmates at Holy Cross Ryde - and the pair share a tight bond.
They appear to be the halves in waiting for the Tigers once Braith Anasta has retired, but Austin's form this year will make that decision a tough one for coach Potter come next year.
Brooks said Moses has missed out for this weekend's clash at Leichhardt Oval.
"He's been training with the team all week but Mick's gone with Austo this week at fullback," Brooks said.
"Although it's disappointing for Mitch, I think he'll still get a run down the track."
The Tigers are desperate for a win without Origin stars Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods - something they've failed to do so far this season.
Brooks has challenged himself to take control of the team.
"I guess I've just got to take more ownership and be more dominant without him," he said.
"It would be a massive confidence boost if we can win without them."
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