It was enough to convince Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook that Penrith No.7 Nathan Cleary is the NRL's premier game manager.
But after a 48-12 romp over a 12-man Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, the Panthers coach - Cleary's dad Ivan - warned his classy halfback would only get better.
Holbrook could only applaud playmaker Cleary after he helped Penrith exploit Herman Eseése's send-off to inspire their 10th straight win by scoring a hat-trick, setting up another two tries and finishing with a personal tally of 28 points.
"He is so good. While the game is getting quicker and there is more unstructured play, he's a step or two ahead in his own head," Holbrook said.
"He is a tackle or two in front, he never gets flustered.
"He is the best game management player in our game with a pretty good side - he's brilliant."
Fermor gets the Titans on the board
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was happy with his son's stellar effort but believed the only way was up for the dominant half in what would no doubt be a frightening thought for rivals.
"The more he plays the more the game will slow down for him," Ivan said.
"That's been a significant improvement for him this year. He has more time to see things, his decision making has been really good.
"As he plays more, gets older, all that is only going to get better."
Cleary's masterclass tore apart the Titans who missed 35 tackles, ensuring the Gold Coast outfit had conceded 188 points in their past five games.
Titans score from inside their own half
Holbrook admitted the next fortnight - against dead-last Canterbury and 14th placed Cronulla - may determine the finals fate of the Gold Coast who dropped out of the eight with a 4-6 record.
"It (those two games) is really important. We have got to bounce back quick," he said.
"We have a short turnaround at home against the Bulldogs (on May 22) who came close to winning (against Canberra) yesterday.
"If we want to play finals footy we have to win these games.
"If we are going to get blown off the park by the sides at the top we have to make sure we beat the others."
