I REMEMBER thinking to myself: “That’s special”.

Thirty-two minutes into Warrington Wolves debuts, high-profile NRL recruits Michael Monaghan and Matt King combined with homegrown hero Kevin Penny for a long-range try from a restart that left Hull FC shell-shocked.

Monaghan dummied the usual little pass to a forward gathering steam and instead threw long to send Penny flying down the wing in front of the South Stand at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He needed Australian Test centre King on his inside to finish off a ‘wow’ moment that set the stadium alight.

That was seven years ago.

So you could say Penny was up to his old tricks again on Sunday.

That same move, although without the need for a centre’s support, brought the winger his first try of a special brace against Hull KR, with a much smaller but no less appreciative crowd once again left thrilled.

But this time, swap Gareth O’Brien for Michael Monaghan.

It was one of Warrington’s rising talents that cradled the catch, weighed up the options and spun out a pin-perfect pass.

Just like in 2008, it was special.

O’Brien has soaked up well in his four years of full-time professionalism, learning his trade from club greats.

It is perhaps this season, in players like former England Academy internationals O’Brien, the Evans twins, Ben Currie and James Laithwaite, that we will start to see the legacy of Warrington’s influential past masters Monaghan, Lee Briers, Adrian Morley and Brett Hodgson.

Since his debut in 2011 and loan stints with Widnes, St Helens and Castleford, former Great Sankey High School pupil O’Brien has made great strides.

Early on there was a lack of confidence, times when I wanted him to step on the gas and scorch away but he didn’t.

That’s not the case any more and he has suffered some heavy-handed punishment from some big men over the past two seasons while carrying the ball.

Now, his composure is a great asset, he has the best kicking game among Wolves’ half backs, he communicates well, his distribution is accurate and his reading of play is looking top-notch.

I shudder to think he was nearly released to Bradford for this season.

Consistency and stamping authority are key now.

And as much as I am pleased that Penny looks to be in flight mode and has another chance to excite supporters,

I’m delighted O’Brien appears to have reached a level where his skills can truly shine.