Not even Nathan Cleary can save Penrith without Isaah Yeo. But here’s how he’ll try

August 13, 2026 — 5:00am

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To underline just how important Isaah Yeo is to this champion Penrith side – and acknowledge his place in leading rugby league’s great modern-day dynasty – ask yourself how many points you think he’s worth on the scoreboard.

When I consider just how influential Yeo is to the Panthers in attack, defence and as a co-captain, I think he translates to eight or even 10 points a game.

I also don’t think he’ll play again this season, as hard as he’ll try to avoid surgery and rehabilitate his pectoral injury. It’s just such a significant injury and the way he reeled out of that tackle last Friday night had me instantly thinking “he’s done”.

And if Isaah doesn’t return to the paddock, then Penrith don’t win the premiership in 2026.

He’s the Australia, NSW and Panthers captain, and he’s just that influential.

And what Ivan and Nathan Cleary do without him – starting with what, I think, will be the game of the season against the high-flying Roosters on Thursday night – absolutely fascinates me.

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Yeo is the best ball-playing lock in the NRL, and an incredibly smart footballer to boot.

His absence is huge and means more minutes for Moses Leota and Liam Henry in the middle. Yeo and injured hooker Mitch Kenny lead Penrith’s line speed, and Yeo is also a fantastic clean-up man: he’s often the guy who falls on a loose ball or fixes up a mistake, with or without the ball.

But it’s in attack where Penrith will miss him most.

Lindsay Smith will slot into the ball-playing link role and has shown promise there. But with the greatest of respect to Lindsay, he’s not in the same class as Yeo – be it with his........

© The Sydney Morning Herald