So how did they turn it around so quickly?

Nathan was surprised one of his worst nights in the game had unfolded so recently, but the shame still lingered.

“That was a tough night,” he told The Sun-Herald. “I remember the Tigers scored four tries in four sets. It was one of those games where you look around thinking, ‘What the hell is going on?’

“That was also one of dad’s better sprays that night. And he never really goes off. He usually lets you know he’s more disappointed, but this night was different.

“The way we played we embarrassed the club. And that’s only happened a few times where we haven’t represented the club or the community the way we’ve wanted to.

“I definitely wanted to forget that night.

“It’s also crazy to think it was only two years ago. We’ve been able to stay in the present, we haven’t thought about what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future.

“Some of the younger guys who have come in and played at a consistently good level since, that’s been incredible. When you get so many young guys coming through together, for them to be so consistent, you don’t normally see it.”

Cleary said the week after Magic Round when Penrith lost to the Warriors at home – the night Brian To’o made his debut – was rock bottom for the club.

Penrith are so healthy now that coach Cleary will have some tough decisions to make to squeeze Paul Momirovski back into his starting team when the centre returns from suspension next week.

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Several players, including Cleary and Jarome Luai, To’o, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Stephen Crichton, are also in the NSW Origin conversation, as is Queensland incumbent Kurt Capewell.

“I’d like to see a few boys get opportunities for the Blues – ‘Capey’ [Capewell] should be a good chance for Queensland – because it will only make us better with those individuals playing on that arena,” Cleary said.