Yeo has burst onto the scene this season and has made the Panthers left centre spot his own in the absence of Jamal Idris while Runciman has been recalled to the Dragons’ first grade side for the first time this season after Josh Dugan’s promotion to State of Origin.

Both have been named in the centres and will more than likely come up against each other a number of times and, despite both running around the ovals of Dubbo as juniors, Yeo admitted it will be the first time they’ve played against each other.

“It should be good, I don’t think I’ve ever come up against him before, he always was a year or so older,” he said.

Runciman, who signed a new two-year deal with the Dragons last month, will be keen to make the most of his recall and prove his talents to new first grade coach Paul McGregor after producing consistent displays for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup.

The Cutters sit fifth on the table and despite a loss to the Panthers in that competition earlier this month, 20-year-old Runciman showed off his abilities by grabbing a try while he was also part of the side which recorded a 23-22 win over the Cronulla Sharks last weekend.

Yeo admitted he was happy to see Runciman back in the top grade but admitted he would not get too many opportunities to put a hit on the young Dragon.

“I think his form in the NSW Cup has been good and he obviously gets his chance with Josh Dugan at Origin so I’m pleased for him,” he said.

“I defend three in so I’m not sure if I’ll come across him a lot but there will definitely be a few times I tackle him and he tackles me.”

After being part of the Panthers side which won the under-20s Holden Cup last year, Yeo admits even he has been surprised with his own rapid rise since joining the first grade side for the pre-season Auckland Nines competition.

Saturday is set to be his sixth top grade match this season and the 19-year-old said he spent the off-season preparing for another season with the under-20s.

“To be honest I thought I’d be playing 20s all year and a handful of NSW Cup games but I got my chance in round one in unfortunate circumstances with Jamal (Idris) doing his hamstring.,” he said.

Idris returned to the side but has missed the past three weeks due to personal issues and Yeo, who admitted he was unsure of Idris’ situation but said it was relating to issues bigger than football, has been in sparkling form since and scored his first top grade try in the Panthers’ emphatic 38-12 win over Parramatta last month.

“I feel very privileged. It’s been fun and it’s every kid’s dream to play first grade and I’ve been doing it on a pretty regular basis at the moment,” he said, before speaking about the Panthers sparkling form.

“Morale is high but I don’t think the table says too much. Ivan’s (coach Ivan Cleary) been telling us there’s about four teams on the same amount of points and there’s not much separating first and eighth.

“Top eight is a goal. We’ll go for top eight and top four would be lovely but we’ve just got to keep up our momentum.”

With two local boys up in lights at the peak of the game, Yeo said he’s received constant support from old teammates, family and friends in Dubbo.

“I get a fair few messages from the club and a lot of the players as well so that support is really good and I’m sure Charly gets the same,” he said.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 5.30pm at Centrebet Stadium, Penrith.