The smile on the face of rookie Penrith coach Steve Georgallis said it all after his side's 30-20 win over North Queensland in their NRL clash in Sydney on Sunday night.
Just last week, Georgallis was pondering a move to England to take up an assistant coaching role in the Super League, before Panthers' general manager Phil Gould offered him an 11-game audition for the position after Matt Elliott was relieved of his duties on Monday.
Georgallis admitted he was a bundle of nerves before the game saying it was like making his first-grade debut as a player and winning, adding the win was a massive relief.
Georgallis' hopes of being appointed permanently were boosted by the outstanding performances of his two big guns, Luke Lewis and Petero Civoniceva.
The pair scored and set up tries, with Civoniceva producing an outrageous left step to leave Dallas Johnson and Aaron Payne for dead as he rumbled his way under the posts in the first half.
The Cowboys remain in the top four despite the defeat, but coach Neil Henry said his side's performance was the worst since losing to Newcastle at home in round two.
He also claimed having Johnathan Thurston in Sydney successfully defending a contrary conduct charge, after running into referee Matt Cecchin, had affected preparations.