Panthers players have used their departing stars as motivation for this year’s finals series, but “the last ride” theme isn’t all that’s driving them this weekend with a couple of major milestones set to fire them up against Cronulla.
Tireless fullback Dylan Edwards will celebrate his 150th game in the NRL, but that’s taken a back seat to co-captain Isaah Yeo, who will become the most-capped Panthers player on Saturday night.
Yeo made his debut 10 years ago when Jamal Idris withdrew from their round 1 clash with a hamstring injury, and the quiet kid from Dubbo is now to set to break club legend Steve Carter’s record when he runs out for the 244th time.
It’s an incredible achievement by the humble 29-year-old who has gone from the outside backs to the middle where he has become one of the best forwards in the world for the past few seasons.
He’s been a key reason why they’ve won three-straight titles and are 80 minutes away from reaching their fifth grand final on the trot if they can beat the Sharks.
“I think it’s really fitting for ‘Yeoy’ to break that mark, whether it’s this week or any other week,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.
“He’s been such a stalwart for us and he’s so durable and such a humble guy.
“He lives our values and he’s what our culture is all about. He’s durable, he’s consistently getting better and he evolves as a person, player and captain.
“We wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Cleary gave Yeo his debut a decade ago, with the lanky lad wearing jersey No.20 in a big win over Newcastle.
He’s gone from playing on the wing for Country in 2016 to the back row and now to lock where he’s dominated for Penrith, NSW and Australia, with his coach praising him for being the guy who has driven the culture during their premiership run.
“I was fortunate enough to give him his debut back in 2014,” Cleary said.
“As a guy who was playing in the back row in lower grades – he’d played a bit of centre – but I had the faith and confidence in him to go out and do that job which kind of said something (about him).
“One of my old favourites at the Warriors was Simon Mannering, and I thought he was a bit like him. They don’t play that similarly, but they are very similar people and players in many ways.
“I could see something in him that I liked and I still do now.”
Yeo isn’t the only premiership star celebrating a major milestone, with Edwards to play game 150 after making his debut in 2016.
Things haven’t always been smooth for the fullback who suffered a serious shoulder injury in 2018 and struggled for form and confidence in 2019, but he’s put that all behind him to now be the hardest working player in the game.
Edwards was rewarded for his irresistible form when he was picked to replace James Tedesco in the NSW side, with calls now for him to be the Australian fullback in next month’s Pacific Championships.
“He continues to evolve and get better; 150 games in the NRL is a big milestone, and to do it at one club is something again,” Cleary said.
“He’s come through this club and he’s set the standard at this club. He’s the fittest guy I’ve ever seen, and he just gets better. He never lets anyone beat him in anything, even though there’s always some young pup each year trying to beat him.
“I guess that explains a bit about his character and personality.
“Even this year with him going into Origin and going up again, he handled all that. There’s a fair bit of pressure in that selection and taking over from Teddy who was the skipper and such a great player.
“He’ll keep getting better, and I’m glad he’ll do it in a Panthers jersey.”
