As he watched another gamewinning penalty split the uprights against Brisbane Broncos, NZ Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf showed he also had a knack for choosing the appropriate celebration for any occasion.
In March, after scoring the final try on fulltime in a win over Manly Sea Eagles, Metcalf literally silenced his critics, putting his finger to his lips in a 'shhhhhh' gesture.
"I'm really big into my English Premier League and German league, and there's a player over there [Michael Olise] that does it," he explained afterwards. "I saw it and thought it was a cool thing, so I decided to copy it."
At the time, Metcalf was still finding his feet in the Warriors No.7 jersey previously worn by club legend Shaun Johnson and his performance against the Sea Eagles was his coming-out party. No-one has questioned his credentials since.
His clutch kick against the Broncos on Saturday was quite a different occasion altogether.
Luke Metcalf celebrates his try against Manly Sea Eagles. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Playing at home, the Warriors had outscored their rivals four tries to three, but found themselves locked 18-18 at fulltime, partly because Metcalf had trouble finding the posts off the tee.
He missed three of the four conversions - two from near the sideline, but one clanged off an upright from a handy position - and his missed penalty attempt on halftime almost cost his team a try at the other end of the field.
Metcalf also attempted two field goals to win in regulation time, but had one charged down and watched the other drift right of the posts.
Most players would start to question whether this was their night, but not Metcalf, who embraced the gunslinger mentality of an NBA basketball shooter mired in a slump, but still sure the next attempt would be successful.
When Broncos star Reece Walsh sent his Golden Point kickoff over the deadball line, Metcalf had his chance to redeem himself from halfway and made no mistake. As his teammates charged him in celebration, the sharpshooter tapped his wrist in a pose made famous by Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard.
Luke Metcalf strikes the 'Dame Time' pose after kicking his team to victory over Brisbane. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
'Dame Time' had just become 'Luke Time'.
"They're the moments you want to step up in," he reflected. "Those are the moments you dream of as a kid, when you go down to the park.
"Those are the moments I always talk to Shaun about, asking what it's like to be in those moments. I couldn't wait to finally get in one of those moments.
"I'm so excited to have my first crack at it tonight."
In fact, this was his second crack. Three weeks ago, he stepped up to slot a 30-metre penalty with eight minutes on the clock to edge Wests Tigers.
Consider that was his practice run.
"I remember the wind was going the other way for the Tigers kick and I had that as a rightfooter, but this one was a bit more tricky," he said. "I took confidence out of that."
Metcalf's training routine doesn't normally include kicks from 50 metres. Captain Mitch Barnett revealed later that remained the domain of wannabe front-rowers who would never get the opportunity in a game.
"I practice a little bit closer, maybe 35 is the furthest I go, but I feel like I get the reps from 35-40, so I was pretty confident," Metcalf said.
"I went through the same process as every kick - just don't think about the outcome, think about the moment you're in right now and what you have to do. Hopefully, it goes over."
Barnett was the player with his foot over the deadball line, when he caught Walsh's kickoff and Metcalf immediately signalled for the two points.
"He wanted the kick, he wanted it bad," coach Andrew Webster confirmed. "It was a strong wind that died down as he was about to kick it, but he had complete confidence in himself.
"There were a couple of moments there, with missed goalkicking and stuff, that he probably would have been worried about, but he backed his work, he works hard at it and he got the rewards."
Metcalf's performance came in the company of his longtime hero, Broncos captain and halfback Adam Reynolds, who shared a moment of mutual respect with the youngster afterwards.
"He told me that he watched me and admired me from afar," Reynolds revealed. "I congratulated him on that goal.
"Obviously, there was a lot of pressure on him to execute at that time and he had missed a few goals, so to see him keep his head was a good moment for him and one he can enjoy.
"He had the wind, so I knew he'd have the distance, but he hadn't been hitting them too sweet, so it was a brave call to put his hand up for the shot.
"He nailed it and it's moments like that you want as a kicker."
Reynolds gave a goalkicking clinic in stormy conditions at Go Media Stadium, converting two late tries from near touch to force extra time.
Metcalf recalled facing him in his Warriors debut at five-eighth two years ago and learning some valuable lessons that night.
"He's been someone I've looked up to as a New South Welshman myself, watching him play halfback in that arena.
"I remember playing him in Napier, and the way he kicked and controlled the game with his boot was something that stuck out to me. I felt that was something, when I became a No.7, I wanted to add to my game.
"He's someone I've loved and respected so much growing up."
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