Panthers legend Steve Carter says he couldn’t think of a better player to break his record for most games for the club than Isaah Yeo.
Carter’s long-standing record of 243 games for Penrith will be equalled by Yeo on Friday night against the Roosters.
Barring injury or suspension, Yeo will break the record and become the most capped Panther of all-time later in the Finals.
Carter, now 54 and living near Coffs Harbour, said the record was always bound to be broken.
“You wouldn’t get a better player on or off the field than Isaah Yeo,” Carter told the Weekender’s On The Record podcast.
“He’s tough, he’s durable, he’s skillful. He’s come from the bush and he’s just a great footballer and a great person off the field.
“What a great player. I’m quite happy. It’s been great because my kids and grandkids have seen the acknowledgement of what I did.”
Carter, who won a Premiership with Penrith in 1991, retired at the end of the 2001 season when Yeo was just seven-years-old.
“He’s grown into a great person and it’s just great that I’m behind him. I’ll be happy to be behind him,” Carter said.
Yeo made his NRL debut for Penrith in 2014 and is on track to become the club’s first 300-game player – a milestone he will likely reach when the Panthers return to Penrith Stadium in 2027.
On The Record with Steve Carter will be released in October as part of the next series of the podcast.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.