DUBBO'S Isaah Yeo has been named as a starter for the Penrith Panthers in this weekend's Auckland Nines tournament, in the squad's first hit-out under new coach Anthony Griffin.
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The 21-year-old former St John's junior made his first-grade debut for the Panthers in 2014, and has gone on to make more than 30 appearances for the side.
He said the Panthers squad would be one to watch this weekend, after a strong pre-season with limited injuries.
"We're taking a relatively strong side and we've had a pretty good pre-season," Yeo said.
"I think he [Griffin] has picked the best squad he could have picked from."
Halfback Peter Wallace won't make his return this weekend, as he rests for one more week following last year's torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), while Matt Moylan, who suffered significant ligament damage in his foot in round 12, will also rest another week.
Yeo said the move is just precautionary, with both players set to take to make their return to the field in next weekend's trial match against the Bulldogs.
He predicts the Cowboys will be the Panthers toughest competition in a pool that also includes the Knights and the Tigers.
"I think we have got a tough pool. I think the Cowboys will have a strong side," Yeo said.
"There's a bit of luck involved in the Nines but we are expecting to put on a good show and hoping to make it past that pool round."
The two-day nines tournament has been a terrific success for the code since its launch in 2014, with all 16 NRL clubs and more than 288 stars of the sport coming together in Auckland to have it out on the field.
If the Cowboys have been tipped as the team to beat, following their 2015 premiership winning season, then the Panthers are a dark horse.
Yeo said the format will suit the youngsters on the side with something to prove, as well as the speedsters among them.
"I think Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Bryce Cartwright - he's a bigger bloke and he's got some outstanding skills - Will Smith, all your outside backs all those quicker blokes [will stand out]," he said.
"Obviously it's a good push for our round one team so if they put on a good show it's going to put them in good stead for round one."
It will be the first true test for coach Anthony Griffin, who will have a hard job ahead of him turning Penrith's fortunes around after an injury-plagued 2015 season.
So far, Yeo said, Griffin has been able to bring the boys along with him.
"It's looking great. Obviously he's a bit different than Ivan - he's a bit more old-school - I hold them both in very high regard," Yeo said.
"It has been a very tough preseason and I think he has got all the boys firing.
"I think he is trying to change the culture around the club and make everyone more accountable for their actions."
He said Griffin is yet to guarantee any player a starting spot for round one, which is pushing the boys to "try and impress him with your attitude at training".
"When it comes to the trial - he hasn't seen many of us play before so he's going to pick it based on that, so it's obviously about trying to make your mark," Yeo said.
"We've got some great players in Bryce Cartwright, Tyrone Peachey, Elijah Taylor and Trent Merrin and obviously it's good for me because it keeps me competitive.
"Being young, I think it's a good thing - I think the more competition you've got, will hold you in good stead for later on in your career."