Penrith players were asked to sum up Isaah Yeo in one word before his 200th game on Friday evening.
Terms such as “tight-ass”, “sooky” and even “receding” were thrown around but one word was used the most: “reliable”.
It is astonishing to think Yeo becomes just the ninth player to reach 200 games at a club established in 1967.
After signing an extension that will take him through until at least the end of 2027, Yeo is in the box seat to become the first Panther to reach 300 games.
Steve Carter, the club record-holder on 243 games, cannot wait to watch Yeo play his milestone game on Friday night in Canberra before his long-standing mark inevitable falls to the popular No.13.
Carter, who now lives on the NSW north coast, told the Herald: “Isaah Yeo is my favourite player, so it would be a bit coincidental if he breaks my record. He’s toiled and improved and improved and improved and now one of the best players in the game.
Mr 200: Isaah Yeo.Credit:Janie Barrett/SMH
“Nathan [Cleary] is the standout, but in terms of toiling and hard work and perseverance, there’s none better than Isaah.”
The best rap for Yeo came from Michael Hagan, who was an assistant to Mal Meninga at the World Cup last year, and got to know the lock forward. Hagan went as far to say if he had to pick one player to build a new club around, it would be Yeo.
“And the reasons I’d say that is because of his leadership around the team, his work ethic and work rate, and he’s skilful and smart,” Hagan said.
Yeo hates the limelight. He says that is the reason he loves living and playing at the foot of the mountains.
“I feel like the town suits me. I don’t like being in the spotlight much, I like doing my own thing, and Penrith allows me to do that because it’s a blue collar,” Yeo told the Herald.
Longest-serving Panthers
243 Steve Carter
238 Craig Gower
237 Royce Simmons
228 Greg Alexander
211 Tony Puletua
209 Brad Izzard
208 Luke Lewis
204 Ryan Girdler
199* Isaah Yeo
140* Nathan Cleary
Yeo thanked his coaches for having the belief in him his entire career. Cleary gave Yeo his debut in 2014 when “I don’t think anybody at Penrith thought I was going to debut”.
He praised Anthony Griffin for respecting his work ethic, and how ‘Hook’ simplified everything, “and wanted you to run hard and tackle hard, and I did that”.
Yeo is known as the box ticker. The last two boxes to tick are being a Panther for life and playing 300 games.
Ivan Cleary is certainly delighted to work with the lock forward every week, who is part of the mini No.13 revolution where the middle men have taken on more of an extra play-making role.
Coach Cleary pointed out Yeo played a big part in setting up the Panthers’ first try last week against the Eels.
As for Yeo reaching 200 games, Cleary said: “He always looked the reliable type, but he is so much more than that now – he has become a real pillar of our team and our club.”
Carter’s record could have been higher had he not retired at 31. Now 52, Carter sits ahead of Craig Gower (238) and Royce Simmons (237), with Greg Alexander on 228.
The Raiders were shocked this week when club legend Jack Wighton informed them he would test the open market. Wighton will miss the Panthers clash through suspension, but maybe Yeo could get in his ear after full-time and remind him of how wonderful it would be to end his career where it started.
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