Isaah Yeo

Isaah Ferguson-Yeo (born 6 November 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock and second-row forward for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL and Australia at international level.

Isaah Yeo
Personal information
Full nameIsaah Patrick Ferguson-Yeo[1]
Born (1994-11-06) 6 November 1994
Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
Height195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2014– Penrith Panthers 220 29 0 0 116
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2016 NSW Country 1 0 0 0 0
2020–23 New South Wales 11 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Australia 7 2 0 0 8
Source: [2]
As of 1 October 2023

At representative level he has played for New South Wales Country and New South Wales in the State of Origin series. He is a dual NRL Premiership-winning Captain of 2021, 2022 and 2023 As of 2021, he is also the co-captain[3] alongside his teammate Nathan Cleary. Yeo played centre in the early part of his career before settling into the forwards full-time.

Early life

Yeo was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. He is the son of former North Sydney Bears and Balmain Tigers player Justin Yeo.[4]

Yeo was educated at the St Johns College, Dubbo and played his junior football for Dubbo CYMS, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.

Playing career
Yeo playing for the Windsor Wolves in 2013

Yeo played for Penrith's NYC team in 2013.[5] Yeo played in Penrith's 2013 NYC Grand Final 42-30 win over the New Zealand Warriors.[6]

2014

In round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Yeo made his NRL debut for the Penrith club against Newcastle.[7] Yeo scored his first career try in the Penrith club's 38-12 win over Parramatta in round 12.[8] On 9 July 2014, Yeo was selected for the NSW residents team to play against the Queensland residents team at Suncorp Stadium. He played right-centre, i.e. number 3, and scored a try in the NSW 16-24 loss.[9] Yeo finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 10 matches and scoring two tries.

Yeo celebrating winning the NSW State Cup in 2014

2015

On 31 January and 1 February, Yeo played for Penrith in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.[10] He finished off the 2015 season having played in 21 matches and scoring two tries for the Penrith club.[11]

2016

In February 2016, Yeo was named in the Penrith's 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[12] On 11 February 2016, Yeo extended his contract with the Penrith club from the end of 2016 to the end of 2019.[13] On 8 May 2016, Yeo played for New South Wales Country against New South Wales City, playing on the wing in the 30-44 loss in Tamworth.[14] Yeo finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 26 matches and 5 tries for the Penrith club.

2017

In February 2017, Yeo was named as the captain of Penrith's 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad, The Panthers were the runner-ups of the tournament, losing to the Sydney Roosters 10-8 in the final.[15][16]

2018

Yeo made 26 appearances for Penrith and scored 4 tries in 2018 as the club finished 5th on the table at the end of the regular season. Penrith reached the second week of the finals for the third season running but were eliminated by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 21-20 with Yeo scoring a try in the defeat.[17]

2019

Yeo began the 2019 as one of Penrith's first choice second-rowers and played in the club's opening round loss against Parramatta. Yeo was taken from the field after being hit in a high tackle by Michael Jennings. The following week, Yeo scored a try in Penrith's victory over Newcastle but was taken from the field after suffering another concussion. In Round 8 against Canberra, Yeo was taken from the field with a shoulder injury during the club's 30-12 loss.[18][19]

Yeo made a total of 18 appearances for Penrith in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished a disappointing 10th on the table and missed out on the finals for the first time since 2015.[20]

2020

Yeo enjoyed his best year at Penrith in the 2020 NRL season as the club won the Minor Premiership and reached the 2020 NRL Grand Final. On 19 October, he was named Dally M Lock of the year. Yeo played in the grand final which Penrith lost 26-20 against Melbourne. Following the game, Yeo was named in the preliminary State of Origin side for New South Wales.[21]

In Game 2 of the 2020 State of Origin series, Yeo made his debut off the bench for New South Wales in a 34-10 win. He was selected for Game 3 where New South Wales lost the game 20-14 and the series 2-1 against Queensland.[22]

2021

During the 2021 pre-season, it was announced that Yeo would become co-captain alongside Nathan Cleary.[3] This announcement came after the previous captain; James Tamou, departed the club for the Wests Tigers.

Yeo was selected in the 2021 State of Origin series at Lock for New South Wales. He played all three games in the series and was a part of the winning side as NSW reclaimed the Origin Shield.

On 25 September (alongside his Co-Captain Nathan Cleary), Yeo led the Penrith club to a 10-6 Preliminary Final victory over Melbourne, earning Penrith their second NRL Grand Final in two years.

On 27 September, Yeo was once again named Dally M Lock of the year for the second year in a row.[23]

On 3 October, Yeo helped lead the Penrith club to their third premiership.[24] With a final score of 14-12, Penrith held out a late barrage by South Sydney Yeo played all 80 minutes, making 168 metres, 57 post-contact metres and 36 tackles[25][26]

Yeo playing for Australia in 2022

2022

On 29 May, Yeo was selected by New South Wales to play in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. Yeo played in all three games as New South Wales lost the series 2-1.[27]

Yeo played 23 games for Penrith in the 2022 NRL season including the clubs 2022 NRL Grand Final victory over Parramatta.[28]

In October he was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[29] Yeo played for Australia in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final victory over Samoa.[30]

2023

On 18 February, Yeo played in Penrith's 13-12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge.[31] On 22 May, Yeo was selected by New South Wales for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series.[32] Yeo played 24 games for Penrith in the 2023 NRL season including the clubs 26-24 victory over Brisbane in the 2023 NRL Grand Final as Penrith won their third straight premiership.[33]

Honours

Individual

  • Dally M Lock of the Year: 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Dally M Captain of the Year: 2022
  • Merv Cartwright Medal: 2018, 2023
  • John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination: 2017

Penrith Panthers

  • NRL Premiership: 2021, 2022, 2023
  • NSW State Cup: 2014
  • NYC Premiership: 2013

New South Wales

  • State of Origin Series: 2021

Australia

  • World Cup: 2021

References
  1. "Auckland could one day warrant NRL round of its own, promoters say". brisbanetimes.com.au. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  2. "Isaah Yeo - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  3. "Yeo, Cleary to lead Panthers as 700 games' experience moves on". National Rugby League. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. Guthrie, Nick (13 February 2014). "Yeo named in Penrith squad for NRL Nines". Daily Liberal. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  5. "Isaah Yeo". Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  6. Guthrie, Nick (7 October 2013). "Fairytale finish to Yeo's first season". Daily Liberal. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  7. "NRL TEAM CHANGES - Panthers". Penrithpanthers.com.au. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  8. "Penrith Panthers destroy Parramatta Eels 38-12, go level on points with Manly, Canterbury atop ladder - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  9. "VB NSW Cup Rep Team go down to QLD Residents". Nswrl.com.au. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  10. "PANTHERS UNVEIL 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week. 24 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  11. "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  12. "Panthers name Auckland Nines squad". NRL.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  13. "Yeo signs new deal with Panthers". NRL.com. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  14. "Young City side stun Country". NRL.com. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  15. "Could the Penrith Panthers be Unwilling Champions of the Auckland Nines". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  16. "Auckland Nines 2017: Sydney Roosters stun Penrith Panthers". News.com.au. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  17. "Penrith Panthers 2018 season review". www.nrl.com. 24 October 2018.
  18. "Penrith star opens up on concern for mate's 'sickening' concussion battle". www.foxsports.com.au. 13 May 2019.
  19. "Panthers cautious with Yeo, defend handling to NRL". www.smh.com.au. 25 March 2019.
  20. "Blame game will not solve Panthers' problems". Western Weekender. 10 September 2019.
  21. Hytner, Mike (25 October 2020). "Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers as it happened". The Guardian.
  22. Howcroft, Jonathan (18 November 2020). "State of Origin 2020 game 3: Qld Maroons beat NSW Blues – as it happened". The Guardian.
  23. "2021 NRL Dally M Awards Live: Tom Trbojevic crowned NRL's best". www.news.com.au.
  24. "NRL 2021 grand final: Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Panthers clutch plays take them to glory - Panthers". Penrith Panthers. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  25. "Panthers v Rabbitohs". National Rugby League. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  26. "One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season". www.theguardian.com. 3 October 2021.
  27. "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". www.nrl.com.
  28. "'Parra are our sons': Panther's cheeky Eels sledge as stars run riot, Luai has another dig". www.foxsports.com.au.
  29. Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  30. "Australia 30-10 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup final – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  31. "St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'". www.bbc.co.uk.
  32. "Graham ruled out for Blues, trio to debut as Fittler makes 'gamble'". www.nrl.com.
  33. "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
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