Casey McLean has established himself as one of the NRL's most dangerous young centres after a 49-game career that includes State of Origin selection for NSW.
He is expected to represent New Zealand at this year's World Cup, but first faces Newcastle veteran Dane Gagai in Sunday's preliminary final at Accor Stadium.
The Penrith centre is 20; Gagai is 35 and brings 338 NRL games to a contest with a 15-year age gap.
"He's probably playing some of the best footy he has ever played," McLean said.
"He's been around for so long but he doesn't let that get to him, he's such a competitor."
Gagai has helped Newcastle reach their first preliminary final since 2013, seeing off South Sydney's Latrell Mitchell and the Warriors' Leka Halisima in the past two weeks.
Against the Warriors, Gagai beat Halisima and produced a one-handed offload that set up Dominic Young's winning try.
McLean knows Gagai's threat: in a round 12 loss in Bathurst last year, he missed six tackles as Newcastle sent Penrith to the bottom of the ladder.
"Being able to play against him, I've won a few and lost a few and he knows how to get the best out of himself and (I have to) understand and respect him for the amazing player he is."
Gagai, now in his 16th NRL season, said McLean's achievements were "nothing short of amazing" and described him as a big, athletic, tough player with a strong ball carry.