Penrith match-winner Lachlan Coote says the remainder of the 2011 NRL season is his chance to prove he's the Panthers' No.1 fullback.

Coote produced one of the individual performances of the year to spark the black magic to a miraculous 23-22 golden point win over rivals Parramatta on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old has been hampered by countless injury setbacks over the past couple of years, but put it all behind him to set up a try and bag a double - including a scintillating four-pointer after the fulltime hooter for regular time, which squared the ledger and sent the match into overtime.

While the prodigiously talented Coote spent extended periods on the sidelines with reoccurring knee injuries, winger Michael Gordon assumed his fullback spot and made it his own at the end of 2010 and the start of 2011.

Gordon proved the custodial role was his strongest suit as well, making the future somewhat uncertain for Coote as he watched on helplessly from the stands.

However, in a twist of fate, Gordon himself suffered a season-ending knee injury at the same point Coote was due to return in May - and the diminutive flyer is determined to make his second chance count.

"Definitely, obviously I was out injured and he (Gordon) was filling in for me and I've just got to get back to the way I was playing at the start of last year, get my confidence back and I should be right," Coote told AAP.

"I see this as an opportunity, this is my spot and I'm going to hold it and try and cement myself as the No.1 fullback."

Coote couldn't have done any more against the Eels.

In the two defining moments of the match he came up with the big play.

Firstly when the Panthers were down 16-12, Coote pulled off a massive shoulder charge in defence, before switching straight into attacking mode and setting up a try.

Then with one second left on the clock, after the ball was moved from side to side, Michael Jennings and Coote combined for a try to set the game up for a grandstand finish.

Luke Walsh sealed the result with an astute field goal in golden point, but coach Steve Georgallis praised Coote's performance as the best of his career.

"I was just praying that Jenko would put that kick through which he did and I got that try which I'm just cheering about," said Coote, who believes the adversity the club has gone through with coaching dramas has moulded them into a top-eight force.

"It's just been an unbelievable last couple of weeks. It seems like everyone's saying there's a bit of hate around the club but it hasn't been the way, we've come together and it's really cemented us as a team and it's made us closer if anything."

Gordon has all but ruled out any chance of a comeback if the Panthers progress deep into the finals, saying the thought wouldn't even enter his mind unless there is an injury crisis.

Luke Lewis injured his shoulder in Saturday night's win, but is expected to be right for this weekend.

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