Michael Oldfield could already see it from the outside looking in, and a conversation with his former teammates cemented it.
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Regardless of how far they slid down the NRL ladder or how dysfunctional they looked, it was only a matter of time before the Penrith Panthers began to click.
Now the onus is on Oldfield and the Canberra Raiders to stop them at Panthers Stadium on Sunday.
The Raiders are looking to force their way into the top two by season's end and in their way is a Penrith outfit riding a seven-game winning streak.
"They're hitting some great form, Penrith, they've got such a strong squad," Oldfield said.
"I knew from the outside looking in, it was always bound to click. Even speaking to some of their players, they said they don't know what it was and what they needed, but they knew once they could get it going, they could. It's showing now.
"Back to back wins can bring a little bit of complacency, hopefully they're complacent this week.
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"It would be good to knock them off. That will really set us up for the back end."
Oldfield is set to be named in the centres again in the absence of Canberra star Nick Cotric after filling the void for the suspended young gun last week.
It has so often been his role - come in, do a job, bide your time for the next opportunity.
Every time he is called upon, Raiders stars rush to heap praise on the "ultimate professional", the one they only hope realises how valuable he is to the club.
That means the world to the 28-year-old outside back.
"That's what you play footy really, it's all about your respect from your mates," Oldfield said.
"As much as you play for yourself and everyone else, more often it comes down to playing for your teammates. Having that respect from them, that's huge.
"Being in and out all the time, it does sort of hinder that confidence side of things, but when you come in and put on a decent performance, it helps moving forward.
"Hopefully I'll take those positives out of the game, not dwell too much on the negatives, and look forward to next week."