Eels playmaker Dylan Brown, who will leave the club next season to join the Knights, was given a different role against the Panthers than he's become accustomed to.
The 25-year-old started the match at hooker, where he played the first 29 minutes. He then spent the next 45 minutes on the sideline, before returning to the action as a middle forward with six minutes remaining.
In his post-match press conference, head coach Jason Ryles spoke to his decision to have Brown switch positions.
"I had a really good conversation with Dylan and he was all on board for it," he said.
"Dylan’s really clear with where he stands when he comes on it could've been there [hooker] or could be thirteen."
The Eels conceded 32-points while only laying on ten of their own against one of their oldest rivals, but the Parramatta coach was adamant that his five-eighth was willing to do whatever was asked of him.
"He’s been really good right from when he made his decision to move on," he said.
"Whilst he’s still here, he’s happy to do whatever is best for the team.
"There was no plan around how to get him back on, but we wanted to get Tallyn [Da Silva] on around the time that we did get him on."
Ryles' explanation for the change in Brown's role centred on his commitment to building the team for the future.
"Our future’s now. We want to get on with it," said Ryles.
"Joash [Papalii] had an opportunity at six.
"Our spine was young tonight for periods there, that’s where we are going as a club.
"We’ve decided to take that approach and I’m really comfortable with it. I just need to get them on the field as often as possible for as long as they can."
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Papalii, who recently signed an extension with the club, was given the opportunity to fill the newly vacant five-eighth role. One which he is looking increasingly likely to make his own in the next few seasons.
"He’ll get the first opportunity, and then we’ll just see what it looks like going forward," said Ryles.
With rookie dummy half Ryley Smith set to return from injury next week, the Eels spine could be in for another shake up.
The odd man out will be their New Zealand international and 137-game veteran who is headed for the door at season's end.