CBDoggies
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 3,946
- Reaction score
- 4,788
My heart’s in Penrith’: Yeo to snub Dogs in favour of fresh Panthers deal
PANTHERS
Isaah Yeo wants to re-sign with Penrith despite interest from Trent Barrett’s Bulldogs. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Penrith lock Isaah Yeo is humbled that incoming Canterbury coach Trent Barrett wants him to sign at Belmore but believes he owes it to the Panthers to stay.
Yeo was surprised when reports surfaced suggesting Barrett is keen to lure him to the Bulldogs when he comes off-contract at the end of 2021.
The Dubbo-born forward is a free agent from November 1, but he feels like his future belongs at the foot of the mountains.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now >
Grand Final
“I’m still on contract at Penrith, and I’d like to think my heart is there,” Yeo said.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to come through there and I moved there when I was 17, so my first priority is to stay at Penrith, and I’d like to think that something will work out there.”
In his seven NRL seasons at Penrith, Yeo has rarely received interest from a rival club.
It’s why the news even shocked his family, including his father Justin.
Isaah Yeo is a Penrith boy. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“My old man was asking me if there was any truth to it,” he said.
“This is the first time (in my career) where I’ve been in a position like this where articles are written about interest from other clubs.
“I actually had that story sent to me.
Cleary: I'm feeling fortunate
0:41
“It is nice to hear, but it is just a matter of making sure I’m doing my job for the club.”
Yeo’s preference is to remain at Penrith, but he can’t speak highly enough of Barrett’s influence on him as the Panthers’ attack coach.
He credits the former Illawarra, St George Illawarra, and Cronulla playmaker for transforming his game this season.
MORE NRL NEWS
TRANSFERS WHISPERS: Benji lands new club, Dragon reveals fury at club
JUMPED TO CONCLUSIONS: Panthers legend slams Cleary criticism
CRUCIAL: How Storm hero’s epic play cost him NSW debut
“For me, moving to the lock role and not being a ball player until this year, Trent has been tremendous for me,” he said.
“We did so much opposed stuff and repetition. I guess the more you do that kind of stuff, the more confidence you get.
“I was more of an up-and-down player when I first moved to the middle, but Trent has helped me, and he is a big part of why I’m in his (Blues) squad.
“The amount of trust and belief that he puts in his players is outstanding, and he will be a big loss for us.”
As a Dubbo boy, Isaah Yeo grew up idolising Andrew Ryan when he starred for the NSW Blues on the Origin stage. Picture: Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia
Yeo missed out on the Blues’ final 21-man team for Wednesday’s opening Origin against Queensland in Adelaide, but he feels blessed to be a part of the squad.
He grew up in Dubbo idolising local star Andrew “Bobcat” Ryan, who played 12 Origins for the Blues, and now he has the opportunity to follow in Ryan’s footsteps and don the state’s blue jersey.
“Bobcat was the one that I looked up to being from Dubbo, with all the accolades he achieved,” he said.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘COWARDS’ OR COMMON SENSE? Rugby league reacts to Origin anthem backflip
TEEN DREAM: Suaalii’s huge demands met as Roosters bring in SBW to seal deal
WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who got lucky in NSW and QLD selection
“The grand final wins, State of Origin and Australia. I loved watching him play.
“It is always a goal to be part of something like this, and if you asked me at the start of the year if I would make this squad, I would have thought it was out of reach, particularly after my year last year.”
Storm stars join QLD squad
1:41
Yeo says the Origin camp has also helped him move on from the pain of last week’s grand final loss to Melbourne.
“You can’t be dwelling on stuff in a camp like this when there is so much on the line,” he said.
“And I don’t think you can when you are a part of a group like this.”
PANTHERS
- October 30, 2020 11:59am
- by MATT LOGUE
- Source: NCA NewsWire
Penrith lock Isaah Yeo is humbled that incoming Canterbury coach Trent Barrett wants him to sign at Belmore but believes he owes it to the Panthers to stay.
Yeo was surprised when reports surfaced suggesting Barrett is keen to lure him to the Bulldogs when he comes off-contract at the end of 2021.
The Dubbo-born forward is a free agent from November 1, but he feels like his future belongs at the foot of the mountains.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now >
Grand Final
20
ANZ Stadium
FULL TIME
26
Watch Video Highlights
“I’m still on contract at Penrith, and I’d like to think my heart is there,” Yeo said.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to come through there and I moved there when I was 17, so my first priority is to stay at Penrith, and I’d like to think that something will work out there.”
In his seven NRL seasons at Penrith, Yeo has rarely received interest from a rival club.
It’s why the news even shocked his family, including his father Justin.
“My old man was asking me if there was any truth to it,” he said.
“This is the first time (in my career) where I’ve been in a position like this where articles are written about interest from other clubs.
“I actually had that story sent to me.
Cleary: I'm feeling fortunate
0:41
“It is nice to hear, but it is just a matter of making sure I’m doing my job for the club.”
Yeo’s preference is to remain at Penrith, but he can’t speak highly enough of Barrett’s influence on him as the Panthers’ attack coach.
He credits the former Illawarra, St George Illawarra, and Cronulla playmaker for transforming his game this season.
MORE NRL NEWS
TRANSFERS WHISPERS: Benji lands new club, Dragon reveals fury at club
JUMPED TO CONCLUSIONS: Panthers legend slams Cleary criticism
CRUCIAL: How Storm hero’s epic play cost him NSW debut
“For me, moving to the lock role and not being a ball player until this year, Trent has been tremendous for me,” he said.
“We did so much opposed stuff and repetition. I guess the more you do that kind of stuff, the more confidence you get.
“I was more of an up-and-down player when I first moved to the middle, but Trent has helped me, and he is a big part of why I’m in his (Blues) squad.
“The amount of trust and belief that he puts in his players is outstanding, and he will be a big loss for us.”
Yeo missed out on the Blues’ final 21-man team for Wednesday’s opening Origin against Queensland in Adelaide, but he feels blessed to be a part of the squad.
He grew up in Dubbo idolising local star Andrew “Bobcat” Ryan, who played 12 Origins for the Blues, and now he has the opportunity to follow in Ryan’s footsteps and don the state’s blue jersey.
“Bobcat was the one that I looked up to being from Dubbo, with all the accolades he achieved,” he said.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘COWARDS’ OR COMMON SENSE? Rugby league reacts to Origin anthem backflip
TEEN DREAM: Suaalii’s huge demands met as Roosters bring in SBW to seal deal
WINNERS AND LOSERS: Who got lucky in NSW and QLD selection
“The grand final wins, State of Origin and Australia. I loved watching him play.
“It is always a goal to be part of something like this, and if you asked me at the start of the year if I would make this squad, I would have thought it was out of reach, particularly after my year last year.”
Storm stars join QLD squad
1:41
Yeo says the Origin camp has also helped him move on from the pain of last week’s grand final loss to Melbourne.
“You can’t be dwelling on stuff in a camp like this when there is so much on the line,” he said.
“And I don’t think you can when you are a part of a group like this.”
