Paul Alamoti has set his sights on claiming the vacant spot in Penrith's centres after admitting his disappointment of being cut loose by Canterbury.
Compared to Sonny Bill Williams before his round-one debut this year, Alamoti finished the season among a host of Bulldogs without a contract for 2024.
The teenager also spent time in reserve grade and conceded by season's end he was unlikely to stay at his junior club beyond his rookie year.
"It was obviously difficult," Alamoti said.
"That's always been home to me since I was 12. To leave, it's a bit sad.
"We were still in contract negotiations, but things weren't moving as quick.
"It was daunting (ending the season without a deal), something new to me. But that's just life, that's how it goes. It's part of the footy life.
"You've just got to hope that all good things will just eventually play itself out."
Things have worked out for Alamoti.
When Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was told the 19-year-old was a free agent, the pair met and a contract to join the Panthers was signed within a week.
"I'd be silly to say no," Alamoti said.
"It's the biggest opportunity you could probably get in the league right now.
"The best team, coming off a three-peat and the opportunity speaks for itself. So just looking forward to it."
But Alamoti has been told by Cleary he faces an intense battle for Stephen Crichton's old centre spot, with the star Samoan headed to the Bulldogs.
Taylan May is also an option to play there if Sunia Turuva stays on the wing, while rising star Jesse McLean is seen as a long-term prospect.
"I'm pushing for a round-one spot, that's for sure," Alamoti said.
"I have set myself some goals, and that is obviously one with Critta gone. The opportunity is there but it's not going to be given to me. I have to work for it."
Both Turuva and May are off contract in 2024, with Penrith likely to face a tough decision on the pair.
Despite that Penrith are adamant they will not rush Jarome Luai's contract negotiations, which loom as the biggest piece of the salary cap puzzle.
Penrith director Greg Alexander was insistent on Friday there was no split between Luai and coach Cleary, after the five-eighth's "know your worth" Instagram post.
Cleary, who has acted as almost a father-figure to Luai since age 15, had said on Wednesday it will be a risk for clubs to offer Luai big money to be the chief half.
"I would say the relationship between Ivan and Jarome is strong enough for the comments Ivan made not to have any impact on Jarome's decision, whether he stays or doesn't," Alexander said on SEN.
"It's not the normal player-coach relationship. It's a bit deeper than that."
