Watene-Zelezniak has extended his stay at Penrith after signing a one-year extension, like the last one he signed with the club. It is a calculated gamble from his agent, Tyran Smith, who believes his client's value will only rise the longer he plays the game.

The youngster dispels the notion the Panthers are also taking a punt, claiming the collapsed lung that sidelined him for a chunk of last season is an aberration rather than a recurring or long-term problem clouding his future.

"The specialist reassured Penrith, nobody had spoken to the specialist that looked at my lung except for Penrith, and they know my lungs are fully sweet," he said. "I'm running around 100 per cent now and it's all good."

However, the fact that it is the second season shortened by the condition may have given both parties reason to pause at the negotiating table.

hat is not in dispute is that Watene-Zelezniak, should he remain healthy, is a superstar in the making. The 20-year-old has yet to justify a Cherry-Evans-esque pay cheque, but his stocks will be on the rise when he is next a free agent, particularly if he makes a permanent switch from the wing to fullback.

It is understood several clubs, prepared to give him the No.1 jersey and the remuneration that comes with it, were keen to lure him from the foot of the mountains. However, they will have to wait at least another 12 months after the Panthers announced the re-signing of the man dubbed "DWZ" on Tuesday.

"It's awesome," he said.

"I'm happy to be at the club another year. They believe in me, so I have to do my job for the team and give my all."

In forgoing the security of a longer deal in the hope of a bigger payday later, Watene-Zelezniak has made himself an intriguing case study in the transfer market. Should he live up to his undoubted potential, he may well command a sizeable chunk of the riches on offer from the partly completed broadcast deal that will soon kick in. However, he can expect a pay cut if he spends another extended stint on the sidelines.

"I guess [the one-year deal] is a decision my manager has proposed," he said.

"I've gone along with it because I know whatever he says is the best for me.

"One-year contracts give me a bit of motivation, there are pros and cons about it, but it gives me a chance to work hard and put in the hard work and get some rewards out of it."

Whether Watene-Zelezniak has the chance to immediately take on the custodian role remains unclear. Matt Moylan has the job and is also seen as a representative player of the future himself, although he is tipped to make a Darren Lockyer-style transition from fullback to five-eighth.

Whether that happens immediately will depend on new coach Anthony Griffin, who is still acquainting himself with the squad following the shock sacking of Ivan Cleary.

Asked if a fullback switch was part of negotiations, Watene-Zelezniak said: "Not really. We have an awesome fullback here in Matt Moylan. I've been here since I was 12, I love the club, and they've been good to me. I'm stoked to be here longer."

The Hamilton product declared himself fully fit, but is suffering the consequences of his layoff.

"I want to get back to where I was," he said. "I'm in the extras club at moment, they call it the 'fat club'.

"First time been there, lot of catching up to do to get to where I was last year.

"About three months I had off, so I've had a long time out without training. It's good to get back out there and training and working the lungs."

Watene-Zelezniak's new contract caps an eventful pre-season. The youngster recently got married, but was keeping the details to himself.

"Pretty low key," he said. "Didn't want to talk about it much. It was a short engagement."