Mitchell Pearce would normally deliver the ball for a forward to crash over and score a try, but on Anzac Day it happened the other way around.
The field goal, in golden point no less, will inevitably have everyone raving about Mitchell Pearce's State of Origin prospects. But it was the charge into, and then through, the teeth of the Dragons defence that most impressed coach Trent Robinson.
"I enjoy getting onto the end of the forwards, I like playing that style," Pearce said.
"There's plenty of space when the halves run around the big middles. We've been working on it a fair bit and had some success playing off the forwards that way. It's nice to get the try off the back of it instead of just getting belted."
Pearce earned the Ashton Collier Spirit of Anzac Medal as best on ground. The try got his team back into the game and then the field goal sealed it. It was a composed performance from a man whose outstanding club form is yet to translate into the Origin arena. That may change over coming months.
"Robbo has been working really hard with us halves on game management," Pearce said.
"I've been working hard on my management of the team, especially in tight situations. Tonight was a big test and I thought we played it really well."
The rugby league world has watched Pearce grow up in the spotlight. It hasn't all been pretty. But few were prouder than Robinson of the maligned playmaker after he stepped up to sink the Red V.
"There was some talk, even in the last couple of weeks, where they went and put his stats out there for drop goals," Robinson said.
"It's safe to say he's practised more this off season, preseason and then in-season than any other year.
"You work hard and you get your results. To score the try he did - normally a halfback would just stand back and organise the next play on - but just to hit the line like he did off Isaac Liu to score that try to get us in front - it's a big play.
"For a halfback to decide to stop organising and I'm going to hit up off the front rower like that, that's a huge play.
"And to then nail the field goal is a real credit to him.
"We've all seen him grow up in rugby league since he was a kid. For him to have nights like tonight is really pleasing."
Opposing playmaker Gareth Widdop played less than half a game but that was nearly enough. The St George Illawarra skipper was the dominant figure before a medial knee injury ended his evening prematurely. His coach, Paul McGregor, predicted he will almost certainly be missing from the England Test team for rep round.
"Not good. I don't know how bad it is just yet," McGregor said. "Certainly it's a medial, so I'm not sure what timeframe.
"He came off with a knee and Gareth doesn't like missing footy.
"Obviously coming off and not being able to run, he wouldn't be playing (Test football) , one would think."
