James Maloney has staked a claim for a State of Origin recall, after engineering Penrith to a desperate 19-10 NRL upset of a depleted Sydney Roosters.
Just days after New South Wales lost the series opener without him, Maloney set up all three of the Panthers' tries on Sunday in a vintage display.
Last year's Blues five-eighth might come into calculations for Origin II in Perth, as coach Brad Fittler searches for ways to send the series to a decider.
The 32-year-old reminded selectors of his worth with a man-of-the-match effort alongside NSW halfback Nathan Cleary in a gritty win.
He iced his performance, which included a critical 40-20, with a late field goal.
The Roosters were in the contest for the opening hour, despite being without Latrell Mitchell, Angus Crichton, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary.
But with his team holding a delicate two-point lead with 20 minutes remaining, Maloney grubbered on a dime for rookie Brent Naden to claim a crucial try.
The defending premiers' defeat was their third in succession - their longest losing streak in three years - although they remain in third spot.
Playing in front of their biggest crowd of the year, the Panthers flew off the blocks, when Maloney put a barnstorming Viliame Kikau over in the second minute.
They should've doubled the advantage when Dylan Edwards broke into the backfield, but threw his pass forward to a supporting Cleary.
A signature Daniel Tupou try in the corner reduced the deficit to two points at halftime.
The game turned, when Joseph Manu was sin-binned for a professional foul in the 48th minute and Kikau crossed for his second not long after.
Despite being down a man, the Roosters responded through Victor Radley.
But Maloney sealed the win with a field goal in the closing stages and the Panthers held on for their third-straight victory.
AAP