“I’d played against him the year before in SG Ball, I don’t know how we became friends, it happened somehow. We chatted through that. “I messaged him. I asked if they had many hookers and he said they were pretty light on. The guy who ran my local club got in touch with [Panthers recruiter] Jim Jones and he just scraped me into a trial. “I came down for a SG Ball [trial] and I was No.22 in the trial team. I must have played all right because I got picked up from there.” So not only has Cleary become the once-in-a-generation halfback every club craves, he has also helped deliver Penrith's next long-term dummy half. At a time when Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is being grilled about privacy breaches, here is a good news story about the social media platform. Ironically, Egan’s first NRL game came at Cleary’s expense. The Lithgow product made his debut from the bench against North Queensland a fortnight ago while Cleary was on the injured list.

“I played a few games with him before he got moved up [to the NRL],” Egan said. “We’re good mates and it’s a dream one day to play alongside him.” That chance will no doubt come soon. Egan has continued to impress ever since that fateful trial, stamping himself as the long-term hooking replacement for Peter Wallace. Loading Egan was chosen as the No.9 in the National Youth Competition team of the year after a standout season in which he scored 18 tries in 21 games, as well as being credited for a further 15 try assists. Given a taste of reserve grade, he scored a further four tries in five games. Not bad for a dummy half.

“I don’t know what it is,” he said. “I just try to take opportunities when they are there, from quick play-the-balls from one of the big boys. I just have a crack at the line, I don’t run too far for my tries.” The 21-year-old has also proven to be a fine leader of men. Given the captaincy of a star-studded Panthers under-20s side, this was best exemplified during last year’s Beanies for Brain Cancer round. While the Penrith first-graders were given free beanies to promote the cause, Egan organised for his side to purchase them to offer their support. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video “It’s only $20; you spend that on a feed,” Egan said. “It was a chance to give a little bit back and we were happy to do it.” So far, the opportunities in first grade have been limited. The Lithgow Storm product was given just eight minutes of game time against the Cowboys at the end of their upset win in Townsville. Against Parramatta last weekend, he warmed the interchange bench for the entirety, but he is hoping for more on Sunday when the Panthers host the Titans.

“Trent Merrin got sin-binned [against the Eels] and stuffed the rotation up a bit," Egan said. “I was itching to get out there, but that happens. The boys got the win and that’s all that matters really.” It won’t be long before he is out there for the duration. It is unclear whether Wallace will play on for another season or retire at the end of this year. Regardless, the son of a Lithgow coal miner will be ready whenever the opportunity presents itself. “I learnt a lot off him through the pre-season and it would be great to wear the Penrith No.9 one day,” he said.