He’s long been tipped for a leadership role at the Penrith Panthers and on Friday night Isaah Yeo will get his chance to lead his side out.
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Yeo has been named as captain by Panthers coach Anthony Griffin for the clash with the New Zealand Warriors.
The St John’s junior steps up to the role following the retirement of Peter Wallace while his side will also be without Wellington’s Tyrone Peachey and his fellow Origin representatives James Maloney and Nathan Cleary.
Penrith’s former NSW Intrust Super Premiership coach Garth Brennan, now at the Gold Coast Titans, and Panthers forward Trent Merrin are just two of the many have spoken of Yeo’s leadership credentials in the past, while the club’s executive general manager, Phil Gould, had noting but the highest praise for the Dubbo product when speaking on social media this week.
“Isaah Yeo is an inspiration to all young players anywhere in the country,” he stated on Twitter.
“If you want something badly enough and you are prepared to work hard, you can achieve great things.
“What a great story. What an outstanding young man.”
The words of support also continued at Apex Oval on Wednesday, where injured Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards was for the Richardson and Peachey Shield finals day.
While delighted to see so many aspiring stars in action at Dubbo, Edwards also had time to speak about the decision to make Yeo captain.
For him, it came as no surprise.
It was only a matter of time until ‘Yeoy’ got the captaincy.
- Penrith's Dylan Edwards
“It was only a matter of time until ‘Yeoy’ got the captaincy. He’s a great leader at the club and a really great bloke to talk to,” Edwards said.
“He’ll go really well and I’m glad he’s leading the boys out.”
Yeo, who represented NSW Country at Tamworth in 2016, is in his seventh season at Penrith and Friday night’s game will be his 93rd game in the NRL.
Kaide Ellis, another former CYMS player, was named on an extended bench for the clash with the Warriors, as was Lithgow’s Wade Egan.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
