Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo has capped off the best season of his career with one final award.
On Wednesday afternoon, Yeo became the first Australian player to win the prestigious IRL Golden Boot in seven years, with the Kangaroos skipper creating further history after assuming the award from former Panthers teammate and Kiwis counterpart James Fisher-Harris.
Yeo, who led the Kangaroos for the first time as they claimed the Pacific Cup from New Zealand, edged out England centre Herbie Farnworth and Australian teammate Tom Trbojevic by the narrowest of margins in voting for the 2024 honour.
The award, as the international player of the year, caps the most successful season of the 30-year-old’s career, with Penrith winning a fourth consecutive NRL premiership, NSW triumphing in State of Origin and the Kangaroos beating Tonga in the Pacific Cup Final.
The men’s 2024 IRL Golden Boot was judged by Golden Cap recipients Darren Lockyer (Australia), James Graham (England) and Petero Civoniceva (Australia/Fiji).
“On behalf of the IRL Board, I wish to congratulate Isaah Yeo for his wonderful season at NRL, Origin and international level, culminating with the 2024 IRL Golden Boot,” IRL Chair Troy Grant said.
“It underscores the current strength of international rugby league that no Australian had won the award since 2017 (Cameron Smith) and the judges again faced a difficult decision as there were so many strong contenders.
“Isaah’s performances and leadership for the Kangaroos gave him the edge and his name will now be added to the list of greats who have won the Golden Boot in the 40 years since it was first awarded to Wally Lewis.”
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned international matches each year and Yeo won the 2024 award after his performances in the Pacific Championships.
“Isaah had a tremendous year all round, winning Origin, with his club and obviously with the Australian team, and I believe he thoroughly deserves to win the Golden Boot this year,” Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said.
“He is a very impressive person, a great leader and a great communicator, as well as a really skilful footballer.
“He has got a really good skillset and one of the elements you want in a player at that level is decision making and he understands the game, the role he needs to play and his responsibility.
“He leads by example, and is the type of leader you want in any team – at state, club or international level – so he would usually be one of the first players picked.”
A presentation will be held for Yeo and 2024 women’s Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken this Friday at Rugby League Central.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.