Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has backed rookie 20-year-old Matt Burton to bounce back after the young half missed four vital field-goal attempts in the Panthers’ 14-all draw against Newcastle at Campbelltown.

In a classic game of rugby league, the Knights were heroic to drag themselves back into the match but it was the Panthers who had most of the chances as the game came into the balance.

“I thought he was really brave how he just kept standing up,” Cleary said.

“I’ve seen plenty of kids, either with field goals or goal kicks, when they’re not going so well for you, and then hand it over to someone else.

“I figured the more he took, the closer he was going to get, it’s how it turned out, he hit the post.”