Injuries to Penrith second rowers Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo could open the door for Liam Martin to play his first starting game in the NRL.
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The Temora product was thrust into the second row when Yeo went down with a suspected dislocated shoulder in the 20th minute.
He was a workhorse in defence in what was by far his biggest opportunity in his four NRL games to date, leading the Panthers tackle count on Saturday.
He finished 43 and was only behind Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson (47) at Equex Centre.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has been pleased with Martin's start to his NRL career.
"Marto has shown that he is not out of place," Cleary said.
"I think he's the sort of kid who with each game he plays the better he will get.
"To play those games he probably needs to feel as though he belongs.
"It probably summed up the day when he was a real chance to catch the ball and score at 14-6 and it was a bit of a 50-50 call there too.
"He's going pretty well."
Martin admitted he bombed a try that would have got the Panthers within two points midway through the second half.
He was disappointed not to come with the try and the win, but still enjoyed playing a NRL in Wagga.
"It was great, the crowd was great with the atmosphere but sadly we couldn't get the job done," Martin said.
He also enjoyed the chance for more game time.
"It was a good blow out as I haven't had very many minutes in the last few games," Martin said.
Martin, alongside James Maloney, were placed on report for a dangerous throw in the second half.
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