Isaah Yeo says there’s no external pressure, but the Penrith Panthers are determined to fulfil their own potential in 2019.
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The Dubbo St John’s junior, and 2018 Merv Cartwright medallist, has just wrapped up the first month of preseason training under Panthers mentor Ivan Cleary, who has replaced Anthony Griffin at the helm after a season rife with coaching speculation.
Cleary was the coach at Penrith when Yeo made his first grade debut in 2014; he made Yeo a permanent fixture in the side before Panthers general manager Phil Gould showed Cleary the door at the end of 2015.
Yeo said there was “a really good feel” around the club since Cleary’s return, and the side had its sights set on a premiership in 2019.
“We understand that we’ve got a talented side … it’s obviously a matter of fulfilling that [potential] and playing to our abilities,” Yeo told Panthers TV.
“It feels like each year we’ve been building and obviously there were a few speed bumps last year that probably weren’t ideal,” he added – no doubt referencing 2018’s injury toll (Josh Mansour, Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Dylan Edwards and James Maloney to name a few), loss of players to State of Origin duties and coaching turmoil.
“But I don’t think they were an excuse.
“I think we had the ability and the side to go further in the competition and didn't, so it’s obviously a matter of reaching those goals … but it’s only early days.”
Cleary’s approach has differed to that of Griffin, who was primarily focused on “getting kilometres under your legs and a lot more running”.
Cleary, on the other hand, has the men “touching the ball a bit more”, combining basic fitness with conditioning and ball skills.
Nathan Cleary is yet to start training under his dad as he recovers from ankle surgery, while Maloney is recovering from neck surgery.
“[Maloney]’s not even training with us and he’s the loudest on the field!” Yeo joked.
“I think he might be back at skills next week, so looking forward to everyone’s ears hurting then.”
Yeo believes Cleary’s approach, and temperament, could be key to success in 2019.
“He’s just got a really, sort of calming influence over the boys,” he said.
“Obviously we’re such a young group, it’s probably a good thing.
“Everyone is really positive and I think that’s obviously a good thing in preseason, it’s not the most fun at times but no, the boys are enjoying it.”
The Panthers’ first test will come in a trial match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on February 23.
