“I was sort’ve floating between the centres and back-row spots, filling in wherever I could,” he recalls. “Obviously we had a few injuries in 2016; I was filling in a fair bit at centre. But with the depth we have in the centres as well, with Tyrone Peachey and Waqa Blake playing so well, I was fortunate enough to be able to stick to the one position in 2017.”

The still-improving Yeo is a powerful ball-runner and virtually unstoppable from close range. He has the ability to draw-in defenders and, in the tradition of a certain legendary Panthers second-rower, offload to his attacking partners in crime, in his case usually flying centre Waqa Blake.

Late last year Yeo committed to the Panthers for a further two years, which means he’ll be there until the end of the 2021 season. If Penrith can nail a strong start, there’s no telling what the young squad can achieve together in 2018.

(Photo by Getty Images)

“Last year we didn’t start how we wanted to; I think we were two from nine, and had our backs against the wall I guess,” he shares. “We needed to string a lot of games together at the end and we were fortunate enough do that, but you don’t want to be putting yourself in those positions; you’re only a couple of results away from having a mad Monday at the start of September.

“Obviously this year it’s going to be about consistency and making sure we start the season how we want to. We don’t want to be chasing points at the end of the year and relying on that. You want to put yourself in a good position, especially at the half-way mark, and go from there.

“We’re training very well. Jimmy Maloney has come on board, who I think is going to be great for us. I’m really looking forward to the start of the season and picking up where we left off.”