Two players used to playing the role of understudies stole top billing as NSW finished day two of it Sheffield Shield game against South Australia well in control.
Replacement keeper-batsman Peter Nevill top scored with 105 and all-rounder Stephen O'Keefe chimed in with 91 and two late Redbacks wickets to leave the visitors 4-164 chasing the Blues' 9-550 declared at the SCG.
Left-arm finger spinner O'Keefe has played just six first class matches in five seasons as he waited patiently behind a host of slow bowling rivals.
Nevill is into just his fourth Shield match for NSW after leaving Victoria two seasons ago and biding his time behind No 1 and 2 ranked gloveman Brad Haddin and Daniel Smith.
Both Nevill and O'Keefe were determined not to let their rare opportunities slip by.
"Every chance you get, you enjoy getting to play with some of the future Test stars," O'Keefe said.
"Every opportunity you try and make the most of it and fortunately the last two games I've been doing okay."
"I just keep having fun and keep a smile on your face … that's the main thing."
The 25-year-old, who was born in Malaysia and has been known to sleep in his cricket whites before a big game, has never contemplated trying his luck with a weaker state, preferring to push his case on home turf.
"With the way the (SC) 'G' is playing and the guys around me – I love playing cricket here – so if all's going well, I can get more opportunities and make that spot at (No) 8 my own, I won't have to bother (moving) because I will play most of my games here."
"That is my ultimate goal."
Nevill had all but given up hope of playing for NSW again this season until Smith broke his finger last month, leaving the door open for the former Bushranger.
"I did not think I would even get this opportunity two months ago so I am very happy to be given this opportunity and am very glad to have taken it," he said.
"You might have heard me screaming when I did it (reached 100)."
"To have made the move to make NSW my home, it is a big sort of commitment but I love it up here and I don't think I will ever leave."
"All that sort of emotion came out. NSW is where I want to be and where I want to play."