Raiders hooker Tom Starling has declared his one-two punch with boom rookie Owen Pattie can lead Canberra all the way to the grand final.
The pair have formed a potent dummy-half combination this season, with Starling starting the game before Pattie comes on and breaks the game open.
All the angles: That crazy Tom Starling try!
Pattie's running game and ability to take advantage of tiring defenders has seen Canberra dominate matches late throughout the year. The Raiders have won 15 of 21 second halves this season.
The role of bench hooker is one Starling knows well, having played it throughout his first few years in the NRL and the 27-year-old said Pattie's skills will prove crucial with big games on the line.
"He's been really good in his first year of first grade," Starling told 94ddz.com. "He's playing the position that I've played for a few years, coming off the bench, and it's a crucial part of the team.
"When you come on you don't really know the situation. You might be down a few tries or you might be up a few tries so every time's a little bit different. He's played really well, along with all our young kids."
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 25 -
home Team
Panthers
7th Position
away Team
Raiders
1st Position
Venue: Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Pattie's rise has played a key role in the Raiders' charge to the top of the ladder with three games to play.
The 21-year-old from the tiny Queensland town of Monto has come off the bench in all 21 games this season, scoring two tries and creating plenty of opportunities for those around him.
His kicking game has also proven effective and is one of just seven players with multiple 40-20s this year.
Pattie is part of a new breed of youngsters who have taken the NRL by storm this year. Ethan Strange has been superb in his second season at five-eighth, Kaeo Weekes has emerged as a superstar fullback and Jed Stuart has impressed since replacing equally impressive 20-year-old winger Savelio Tamale.
While they have largely dominated their rivals all season and handled plenty of pressure in the process, Friday's showdown with Penrith in Mudgee provides a new test for a young playing group.
Starling has taken his fellow hooker under his wing this year and backed Pattie to handle the pressure this weekend and in the weeks to come.
"I had a really good mentor in Josh Hodgson when I came into first grade and he helped me out a lot," Starling said. "I try to help Owen out whenever I can.
"He's a smart footballer, he knows what he's doing and I help him out as much as I can. He's been really good to work with, he'll ask questions and I'll ask him questions too so it's a good relationship and we're working well together."
Owen Pattie talks about his elevation to the top 30
Friday's clash with Penrith is the first half of what could be the biggest 160 minutes of football of the season.
The game will be immediately followed between by Melbourne vs Canterbury at AAMI Park.
The stakes are high for all four teams, with Canberra looking to solidify their place at the top of the ladder.
The Panthers are desperate to keep their top-four hopes alive after last week's controversial loss to Melbourne and need a win to keep in touch with the Warriors and Sharks.
The Raiders are two points clear of the Storm, with the Bulldogs another two points further back. The lure of a home final in week one of the post-season is significant for all three teams.
Panthers v Storm - Round 24, 2025
Penrith are expected to welcome back co-captain Isaah Yeo for the clash, with the lock named in the extended squad and set to come into the side.
Starling said his team doesn't need to be reminded of what's on the line, as they look to make a premiership statement in front of an expected record crowd in Mudgee.
"Everyone knows what Penrith is about and they're surging into the back end of the finals," Starling said. "It's going to be a good game in Mudgee.
"It's always exciting playing in country towns, the buzz around the place is so good and it's a big game for the NRL in terms of the ladder. It's going to be a semi-finals intensity."
