The Penrith Panthers’ 2024 NRL title ambitions have been thrown into question following a pectoral injury to co-captain and star forward Isaah Yeo sustained during last Friday’s clash against the New Zealand Warriors. But current teammate Tom Jenkins and club legend Royce Simmons are pushing back against widespread skepticism that the side cannot claim the premiership without their key leader on the field.
Yeo’s injury diagnosis has delivered a glimmer of hope for the Panthers: the star lock does not require emergency surgery, opening a narrow pathway for a potential return to the field ahead of the upcoming finals series. The forward is already prioritizing a non-surgical recovery to push for a comeback, with his work ethic and competitive drive drawing praise from club insiders.
Jenkins, Penrith’s prolific try-scoring winger, had a straightforward message for critics writing off the Panthers’ chances. “You’re silly if you’re saying that [we can’t win without Yeo],” Jenkins told reporters, adding that the entire squad is fully behind their co-captain’s recovery push. “I’m not too sure of the full extent of the injury, but we’re backing him all the way. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him soon. He’s in good spirits, and we’re here to support him every step of the way, no matter how long his recovery takes.”
Simmons, a Panthers hall of famer, went as far as to name Yeo the greatest forward in the club’s decorated history, saying the 28-year-old stands head and shoulders above any other forward to pull on the Penrith jersey in his lifetime. Even so, the club legend said he is confident the side can still claim the premiership if Yeo cannot make it back, and he put his own money on a last-minute comeback.
“If I was a betting man – and I am a betting man – I’d put a fiver on him to say that he plays another couple of games yet,” Simmons said. “He’s one tough customer who’s dedicated, and he’ll push this right to the limit. He’ll try everything he can before he commits to an operation, so I wouldn’t rule him out just yet.”
If Yeo is forced to sit out the remainder of the season, the Panthers are expected to turn to former Australian Kangaroos representative Lindsay Smith to fill the void at lock. Smith, who has spent most of the season starting at prop, has previously impressed when shifted into the lock position – including a man-of-the-match performance in Penrith’s Round 18 victory over South Sydney, widely cited as one of his best outings for the club.
Jenkins said Smith, who notched his 100th NRL game for the Panthers last week, is more than capable of stepping into Yeo’s role. Nicknamed “Larry” within the squad, Smith has drawn comparisons to Yeo for his playing style, with some teammates even labeling him “Yeo 2.0”, Jenkins explained. “He is such a quality player. He played his 100th game last week, but you could argue that he’s played a lot more with the way he carries himself on the field. I’m really excited for the opportunity he’s got ahead of him.”