Penrith coach Matthew Elliott turned towards Petero Civinoceva moments after watching teenage five-eighth Wade Graham help dispose of the Wests Tigers last night and said: "Can you believe that Wade is still at school?" Straight-faced, the Panthers captain replied: "I helped him with his homework last night."

Hills Sports High student Graham, with a little help from fellow young guns Masada Iosefa and Lachlan Coote, put what Tim Sheens described as a "nail in the coffin" of the Tigers' semi-final hopes.

It wasn't all good news for the Panthers young brigade, however, as they lost boom centre Coote to a medial ligament injury to his right knee just 13 minutes into the game.

The Panthers came from behind to record a four-tries-to-two victory to cement their place in the top eight and record back-to-back victories for the first time since round 10.

Having watched his young stars shine at CUA Stadium, Elliott was adamant they were ready for finals football.

"I can guarantee if they were sitting here, they wouldn't bother answering the question," Elliott said.

"When I selected Wade for the first time, he said, 'What have you been waiting for?' They're good kids."

Graham passed every test the Tigers threw at him but could find a more difficult examination in his trial HSC.

"When I've got my exams, Matty gives me a day off training," Graham said.

"I don't want school to be a waste of time. I'm doing the best I can.

"The school and the coaching staff are really understanding."

Panthers winger Michael Gordon scored two tries and finished with a personal tally of 16 points to help his side climb to sixth on the NRL ladder. The Tigers, however, missed a golden opportunity to leapfrog them after squandering a 10-6 half-time lead.

The Panthers struck twice after the break to take the lead and control of the match. And when livewire hooker Iosefa dived over from close range in the 57th minute, the Tigers' finals chances lengthened dramatically.

"It's a nail in the coffin," Sheens said of his side's finals hopes.

"We're not sealed in yet, but we're going under the way we're going.

"We just couldn't afford to lose that game. It puts a lot of pressure on us for the remaining games.

"We won't write ourselves off."

The Panthers entered the match without in-form back-rower Frank Pritchard, who succumbed to an ongoing shoulder problem.

The Tigers had injury problems of their own, losing captain Brett Hodgson (calf) and winger Beau Ryan on the morning of the match. But the Panthers were simply too strong in the second half.

"We came out in the first half with the desire to win, but we came out flat in the second half," Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall said.

"The finals are still achievable, but it makes it a big game against the Bulldogs."

Coote has been a revelation for the Panthers since making his debut against Brisbane. However, the part-time greenkeeper is expected to spend some time on the sidelines after he came off second best in a tackle by Marshall.