Young gun Wayde Egan has his eyes set on becoming Penrith's full-time No.9 for the long-term future, signing a two-year extension that keeps him at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2021.

The club junior is currently in a two-way battle with Sione Katoa for the starting role as Panthers coach Ivan Cleary challenged them both to evolve into 80-minute hookers.

Both players have evenly interchanged between the black and grey training jerseys - black for starters and grey for second-string players - with Cleary yet to come to a decision.

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Egan is a star graduate of Penrith, rising from the club's SG Ball side to co-captaining their under 20s in 2017, with an ensuing stint in the NSW Cup before a promotion to first grade where he featured in 11 games last year.

''I'm stoked. I've been here since I was 18. I played SG Ball, two years of 20s and ISP, so it's great to have another few years,'' Egan told Sporting News.

In a review of his season, Immortal Andrew Johns compared the 21-year-old to Storm legend Cameron Smith.

''I hate to say it, but he reminds me of Cameron Smith when he first started,'' Johns said.

''He hasn't got the bulging muscles but he's very efficient in the way he plays.

''Every time I look at him when he's at dummy-half, he's always watching the tight defenders and markers. He's always watching the defence and he lets them make his decision for him.''

From his younger days to his first NRL season, Egan's highlight reel is stacked with phenomenal dummy-half runs, including an impressive try-scoring spree where he delivered four tries in one NYC appearance.

''I just like running and scoring tries and getting my hands on the ball as much as I could,'' he said.

''I was a half when I was younger so now it's a bit easier getting my hands on the ball nearly every tackle. When I see an opportunity to run, I'll take it.''

Penrith's first trial against South Sydney on Saturday may be one of Egan's last chances to stake a claim for the No.9 jersey, sharing the load with his rival and close friend Katoa.

''I need to have better communication. I know the forwards will get more tired than me so I just really need to lock down that middle, keep it nice and tight and get my defence right,'' he said.

The Lithgow product arrived at the club at 18 and his talents were quickly recognised, named Penrith's under 20s player of the year in 2017.

Incredibly, in that season Egan produced sixteen tries and fourteen try assists.

He debuted in round four last year against North Queensland, interchanging regularly between first and reserve grade.