Just 79 seconds into proceedings, Blaize Talagi collected a ball after it ricocheted off his head to score.

When he set up Parramatta’s second try shortly afterwards, Eels fans didn’t know whether to cheer or cry. This was the man mooted to take over from Clint Gutherson as fullback, a teenaged rookie-of-the-year contender, reminding them what they will be missing next year.

It was a bittersweet moment, made more so given it was produced against Talagi’s future employers. Somehow, Parramatta must bridge the gap between themselves and Penrith next season after handing over one of their most prized assets. The salary cap works in mysterious ways.

If there weren’t tears streaming down the faces of the blue-and-gold faithful then, they were just before the final siren. With 90 seconds left, the current Parramatta No.1 attempted a difficult shot at penalty goal to send the game into golden point.

As ever, Gutherson had already given his all. Scored two tries, saved countless others. Now he was required to save a game that Parramatta seemingly had in the bag when they opened a 14-point game with just seven minutes to go.

However, this time, “The King” couldn’t convert. Penrith heaped more misery on their local rivals, stealing the game 36-34 at Commbank Stadium.

“I was just stepping up to see if I could kick it and shanked it,” Gutherson said.

“It’s a pretty haunted spot for me. In my career, I’ve had three shots from there and missed them all. It shouldn’t have got to that.”

Indeed, it should have never come to this. Having held a slender lead at half-time after completing all but one of their sets, the Eels quickly opened a commanding one upon the resumption.

But then the game’s best clutch player again got the job done. Nathan Cleary orchestrated the most unlikely of comebacks as the Panthers scored three tries in three minutes. Eels coach Trent Barrett took umbrage with the awarding of the last one, feeling Liam Martin obstructed a defender in the lead up.

“I just feel for the players, they didn’t deserve to lose that. I thought we were the better side,” Barrett said.

“Just that last four minutes got away from us.”

Cleary’s last conversion was from the western touchline, ensuring the race for the minor premiership remains alive when the Panthers take on Melbourne in a blockbuster Thursday night clash.