Moylan, who was forced to play in the NSW Cup last year under the controversial second-tier salary-cap system, said his run at fullback for City against Country was his moment of clarity.

"Stepping up to that [representative] level made me feel like I belonged in first grade," he said.

"I took a lot out of the game ... a lot of confidence ... and it has helped me, helped me get better each week. One of the main things I took from 'Freddie' [City coach and former international Brad Fittler] was there is time to joke but then there is the time when you have to switch on."

Moylan, 23, finished the 26-26 draw earmarked a player on the rise. City captain Ryan Hoffman was impressed to find a precocious talent who "wasn't stand-offish, wasn't thinking 'I'm a young bloke, I've gotta tread on eggshells"', while Fittler acknowledged someone determined to learn and grow.

"A great young kid who kept his eyes open and mouth shut," Fittler told Fairfax Media. "He was fantastic to be around, very energetic ... the sort of kid I'd expect to come from Penrith."

Since representing City, Moylan had forged a reputation as someone who loves pressure by sealing last-gasp victories with field goals or landing nail-biting goals for a Penrith team that sits one victory away from a grand-final berth.

While he seems at home in league's stress zone, the confidence Moylan exudes off the field by doing such things as appearing on TV and openly expressing his thoughts at news conferences is not natural.

Indeed, Moylan's willingness to break free from his comfort zone to challenge his nerves in front of an audience provides an insight into what drives the kid who could easily have missed his shot in the NRL.

"I was awful last year," he said of public speaking. "I had to do a speech when I was named the rookie of the year and I was horrible. I don't remember what I said ... it wouldn't have been much, awful  ... but I've always been like that.

"I couldn't even give a talk in front of the class when I was at school. So, I did some work with the media-department guys at Penrith and I'm enjoying it now."

He is also clearly revelling in playing first grade, saying this season – where there had been talk of million-dollar deals – justified the worry he put his mother through when, after losing his job in a clothing store on the first day, he decided to focus on making it in the NRL.

"I might have been the same as a lot of kids when I thought I was going good but I wasn't, really," Moylan said of his footy "delusions". "I was probably a bit like that. I was a bit of a late bloomer ... didn't make a rep side until SG Ball [under 18s], I just enjoyed playing.

"Job-wise, other than playing footy, there was nothing I wanted to do. Mum used to get annoyed with me because all my eggs were in that one basket – she wanted me to have something to fall back on.

"But it's paying off for me at the moment. I'm really enjoying it, and the ride we're on is pretty amazing."

While he was aware some commentators had compared him with a young Darren Lockyer, Moylan knows he has plenty to improve on. He said the weekly grind was perhaps the toughest challenge.

"Just being up each week for every game because it is a long season," he said. "But that's it. We have a team where everyone is good mates, we're close, and that's helping us. There are plenty of people who have pulled off good things when we've needed them this year.

"Dallin [Watene-Zelezniak] flicking the ball back into play against the Roosters last week was a good one and it's great we have a few blokes putting their hands up to do something. That has been a key to where we're [now] at."

Perhaps, just like Moylan, a few other Panthers feel comfortable enough in their first-grade jumpers to make every opportunity count.