Nathan Cleary insists Blaize Talagi is still cut out to be a long-term five-eighth, comparing the overlooked playmaker's development to that of a young Jarome Luai.
Cleary on Wednesday refused to hit the panic button on the Panthers' season despite the four-time defending premiers slumping to their worst start since 2016 and sitting 13th on the ladder.
Widely regarded as one of the best ever defensive teams, Penrith have let in the fourth most points of any team in their 1-3 start to 2025.
Talagi was considered as a man likely to be at the forefront of Penrith's push for a fifth straight title after arriving from Parramatta as the Panthers' biggest signing during their dynasty.
But while the 20-year-old was expected to replace Luai in the halves, he has been picked on the bench just once with the Panthers preferring Jack Cole at No.6.
Talagi has again been overlooked for Friday's clash with North Queensland, named in reserve grade where he has played halves and centre this year.
But the game's best halfback said he could see a long-term playmaker in the Samoan international.
"The hard thing as a young half is picking up all the subtleties," Cleary said.
"He's really eager to learn and pick it up and I think it's easy to forget how young he is and how raw he is.
"Maybe it takes a little bit more time to develop, but his instincts and the way he plays the game, he definitely thinks of it like a spine player.
"It's just a bonus that he's able to fill in these other positions because he's just a natural footy player."
Cleary said Talagi's development was similar to that of Luai's, whom he played with from mid-teens before winning premierships and State of Origin series together.
"Romey played a few games on the wing, he played centre in the under-20s and all that," Cleary said.
"He bides his time and now you look at him and he's the premier five-eighth in the game.
"Sometimes with young halves, it just takes a little bit longer. And you get to your mid-to-late-20s and you really start hitting your straps.
"(Blaize) is working really hard at the moment to fit into our systems ... but he's going really well and I think he's going to be a great player for a long time."
Cleary is also willing to be patient on Penrith's season, not considering it the biggest challenge of his career after slow starts in 2023 and 2024 as well.
The two-time Clive Churchill Medallist also said there was no overhaul required in defence, conceding Penrith were just down on confidence and making the wrong plays at the wrong time.
Cleary will return from a concussion on Friday after he missed the loss to South Sydney, but Penrith will be without Dylan Edwards (groin) and Brian To'o (hamstring).
"It's easy to think over this period where we've had success, it's just been smooth sailing," Cleary said.
"People think it's been perfect. It really hasn't. It's been lots of ups and downs.
"We've had performances like we've had in the last few weeks, but we've sort of scraped away and won them in the past.
"Maybe that's been a little bit different, but I don't think it's panic stations."
