Yeo 250: The road to history

Author: Panthers Media
Timestamp: Tue 1 Apr 2025, 11:06 AM

History beckons for Isaah Yeo, who is set to become the first player to reach 250 games for Penrith Panthers this week.

Already among the most accomplished Panthers players of all time, Yeo will etch his name in the record books yet again when he runs out at CommBank Stadium on Friday to face North Queensland Cowboys.

An unprecedented 250th Panthers appearance adds to Yeo's long list of accolades.

The four-time premiership-winning co-captain is the most capped Panthers player of all time, and has three Merv Cartwright Medals, five Dally M Awards and a host of representative honours to his name.

Turning an unassuming country kid into a Panthers icon, Yeo's road to 250 games is one to marvel.

TICKETS: Celebrate history with Isaah Yeo at CommBank Stadium on Friday

The road to history

Isaah Yeo's journey begun in Dubbo, where he was born and raised. He grew up playing rugby league in the rural NSW town, before being scouted by Penrith Panthers as a teenager.

A rangy utility player, Yeo came off the bench as the Panthers won the 2013 NYC Grand Final before being promoted to Ivan Cleary's NRL squad the following year.

Yeo made his NRL debut as Panther No. 537 in Round 1 of the 2014 season, called up to play centre in a 30-8 win over Newcastle at home. He scored a memorable first NRL try in Round 12 that year, in the Battle of the West at the foot of the mountains.

It was not until 2016 that he cemented his place as a regular first grader, promoted from versatile squad member to starting second-rower.

A tough, reliable presence, he became a key figure from 2016 as the Panthers qualified for three consecutive NRL Finals Series. He won the Merv Cartwright Medal for the first time as the Panthers best and fairest player in 2018.

After more than five seasons and 100 games as a steady edge player, Yeo reinvented himself in 2019. A positional switch saw him transition to a ball-playing lock, propelling himself and the Panthers towards history.

His first full season wearing the no. 13, 2020 saw Yeo named Dally M Lock of the Year and earn his State of Origin debut. His breakout season coincided with the Panthers rise to title contention, as they clinched their first minor premiership and grand final appearance in 17 years.

Yeo was named co-captain with Nathan Cleary for the 2021 season, tasked with fronting the Panthers pursuit of an elusive premiership.

He would soon experience his first taste of rugby league glory, playing a key role for NSW in their 2021 State of Origin series triumph.

The experience spurred him on for a big end to the year, as he guided the Panthers through COVID-19 disruptions and a grueling finals campaign to reach another decider.

The 2021 grand final elevated Yeo to legendary status as the Panthers premiership dream was realised. After leading his team to an epic victory over South Sydney, Yeo joined Cleary in lifting the Panthers prized, third trophy.

TICKETS: Celebrate history with Isaah Yeo at CommBank Stadium on Friday

Still, Yeo had only scratched the surface of a glittering career.

The elation of 2021 was followed by domination in 2022, as Yeo led a resounding premiership defence as Dally M Captain of the Year.

The Panthers steamrolled to the minor premiership and a third consecutive grand final, where they crushed local rivals Parramatta. With the Panthers winning back-to-back premierships for the first time in club history, Yeo and Cleary raised the Provan-Summons Trophy again.

On the back of his second premiership, Yeo earned his first call-up to the Australian Test team. His first campaign in green and gold spelled more success, as he and the Kangaroos won the Rugby League World Cup by defeating Samoa in the final at Old Trafford.

Yeo reached a significant Panthers milestone in 2023, joining an exclusive group of players to reach 200 games for the club. He celebrated with a thumping win over Canberra, en route to yet another first-place finish for the Panthers.

The Panthers reached the grand final once again, chasing a premiership "three-peat". An incredible comeback saw the Panthers defeat Brisbane and became the first team in 40 years to win three consecutive premierships.

Yeo capped off his third grand final win as co-captain by launching the Panthers iconic 2023 premiership tagline: undisputed.

The accolades continued to roll in as he was awarded his second Merv Cartwright Medal before earning another Kangaroos call-up to close out 2023.

Even with a wealth of success to his name, Yeo's greatest year was still ahead of him. He rose to new heights in 2024 by breaking records, earning prestigious honours and winning trophies for club, state and country.

The historic campaign kicked off with Yeo winning his second State of Origin shield, skippering the side for large stretches as NSW rose from a Game I loss to win the series.

With his co-captain sidelined by injury for much of the NRL season, Yeo stood tall to lead the Panthers to another top two finish. His efforts earned him a fourth Dally M Lock of the Year title.

Yeo wrote his name into the record books again when he surpassed Steve Carter to become the most-capped player in Panthers history. He celebrated his history-making 244th appearance with the Panthers reaching an astonishing fifth consecutive grand final.

In a full-circle moment, he and the Panthers overcame the only team to have bested them in the past five years as they beat Melbourne a nail-biting grand final.

Yeo and Cleary claimed the Panthers fourth consecutive premiership trophy, a feat unseen in 60 years.

Once again, Yeo was named the Panthers best and fairest in a premiership-winning season as he received his third Merv Cartwright Medal.

He was not done yet, as his glorious year continued on the world stage.

Appointed captain of Australia at the end of the season, Yeo spearheaded yet another title charge, this time in the Pacific Championships. Under Yeo's leadership, the Kangaroos went unbeaten and won the Pacific Cup Final against Tonga.

Par the course, he found room for another entry to his trophy cabinet. Yeo capped off 2024 by winning the IRL Golden Boot as the world's best Test player.

Now, just five rounds into 2025, the Panthers co-captain is poised to create history again. A 250th Panthers game marks yet another step into uncharted territory for Yeo, who continues to shine on his trailblazing journey.

TICKETS: Celebrate history with Isaah Yeo at CommBank Stadium on Friday