The Penrith Panthers may be firmly entrenched in the top eight and the Manly Sea Eagles may be well outside the finals place currently, but Isaah Yeo knows this weekend shapes as a major test for his side.
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Dubbo’s Yeo and his Panthers have faltered in recent weeks, having been majorly affected during the State of Origin period.
Penrith has lost four of its past five games and while Yeo and his teammates are panicking, the former St John’s junior knows his side must get back to its best as soon as possible.
"Our first two-thirds of the year were really good. We've put ourselves in a wonderful position here and there's an opportunity to play semi-final football," Yeo said told AAP.
"But we need to understand that we need to start winning games leading in because there's some sides there out of the eight that are coming in with some really good form.
"The Wests Tigers have shown that."
Just as the Panthers' injury toll appeared to be easing, coach Anthony Griffin is likely to have lost impressive rookie Jarome Luai to a season-ending ankle injury suffered in Brisbane.
However, second-choice fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is set to return after missing the Broncos defeat with a hamstring injury.
"He was pretty close last week but obviously (with the) hammy you don't want to rush things. So fingers crossed he's back on board this week," Yeo said.
"With poor Jarome Luai, obviously he had the syndesmosis injury. I think they're waiting on scans but it didn't look crash hot."
Wellington’s Tyrone Peachey has been named at fullback in a major shake-up at Penrith, while Yeo is set to start at lock rather than his regular place in the second row.
Meanwhile, another Dubbo product is in doubt for this weekend’s NRL action.
Connor Watson is no guarantee to play for the Newcastle Knights this weekend due to an ongoing ankle complaint.
He and boom youngster Kalyn Ponga will be given every chance to prove their fitness.
