Yeo knows: Panthers ready to strike while the iron is hot

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 23 Sep 2022, 01:37 PM

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo will leave it for others and after this year’s grand final to decide if the side has taken full advantage of their three-year dominance in the NRL Telstra Premiership.

The reigning champions remain favourites for the title on October 3 after going through the season with a 20-4 record but face an in-form South Sydney in the preliminary final on Saturday night.

Yeo is wary of the Rabbitohs’ hunger given the Panthers were in a similar position in last year’s finals, where they lined up against the Storm who beat them in the grand final in 2020.

The Panthers recorded the best three seasons by a club in NRL history when they passed the 1959 St George Dragons when they racked up their 53rd win from 60 matches in May.

Whether they can capitalise on that and become just the second NRL team alongside the Roosters to win back-to-back titles since the Broncos did so 1992-1993 will be known in a fortnight.

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The Roosters managed one premiership in four grand final appearances from 2000-2004 before waiting another decade to lift the trophy again while Melbourne finished with two titles from six seasons after finishing in the top two between 2016-2021.

Yeo has experienced the highs and lows at the club since making his NRL debut in 2014 but wouldn't be drawn in on the potential debate to come.

“I’m not sure, that’s something you figure out after the next week or two, it’s something you look back on, certainly not something we’re looking at, at the moment,” Yeo said.

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“I’m not talking past this game now but for three years, I wouldn’t have envisioned the success we’ve had over this period. You certainly hoped this might be the case but you never picture something like this.

“It’s three years now with 20-plus wins, third prelim and played in two grand finals. You look at the people who have come through and they’re not only good players but good people.

"We keep each other accountable and I think that shows on the field. There’s good coaching down the board and bringing in good people an good systems."

With Penrith also in action this weekend in Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup Grand Finals, the Panthers could achieve a rugby league first with four potential premiers within the one club following their SG Ball triumph earlier this year.

"We're super proud of that fact," coach Ivan Cleary said of his club's success.

"There's a lot of people all on the same page. That's the number one thing we have here, alignment from the top all the way through. It's easy to say but harder to do.

"There's a lot of talented players as well which helps, but there's a lot of people working really hard over a long period of time in the same direction.

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"They just want to win — each grade has its own story."

"It’s pretty crazy at the moment," Yeo added. "We’re fortunate enough that the Penrith area has got good junior development and the club taps into that.