NRL ironman Isaah Yeo wins 2024 Golden Boot award

Isaah Yeo has capped off the greatest seasons in NRL history, winning the Golden Boot award after guiding his club, state and country to a premiership and series victories.

Rugby league ironman Isaah Yeo is on his way to becoming one of the NRL’s all-time great forwards after winning the coveted Golden Boot as the international player of the year.

Yeo became the first Australian since Cameron Smith in 2017 to win the Golden Boot.

The Australian lock and skipper led the Kangaroos to Pacific Championships glory after the Panthers co-captain celebrated his fourth straight NRL premiership and a State of Origin series win with NSW.

Yeo is the second Panther in two years to win the Golden Boot after James Fisher-Harris claimed the prestigious award in 2023.

He beat a crack field for the Golden Boot with Herbie Farnworth (England), Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga), Keano Kini (New Zealand) and Australian teammates Tom Trbojevic and Harry Grant all short-listed.

Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo has capped off a stellar 2024 season by claiming the Golden Boot. Picture: Getty Images

Fox Lab crunched the numbers this week to reveal Yeo has played more NRL games than any other player over the past five years.

Yeo has played a whopping 147 games since 2020, six clear of Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton.

It puts Yeo up there with some of the toughest players the game has seen.

There’s been Terry Randall, Wayne Pearce, David ‘Cement’ Gillespie and the great Ray Price.

Rugby league tough men who bravely battled physical endurance — and the game’s week-to-week grind — to be remembered as ironmen of their generation.

But perhaps none can match Yeo for toughness and skill.

Panthers legend Greg Alexander claims Yeo would “go down as one of the all-time great forwards”.

New Wests Tigers recruit Jarome Luai (139) is third from Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans (138) and Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco (137).

Yeo, a middle forward, stands well above the pack.

In the past five years, he has played 119 NRL games, 14 State of Origin matches for NSW, 11 Tests for Australia, two World Club Challenge games and one pre-season match.

And all at an ultra-elite level. Yeo can play in the middle, run, take a first-up carry or ball distribute.

Yeo has played more NRL games than any other player over the last five years. Picture: Getty Images

Yeo’s fortitude and stamina would stack up alongside Price, Pearce, Gillespie and Randall.

“Not only does Isaah hold that record for most games played since 2020, but the level he plays at is incredible,” Alexander said.

“Isaah has now played more games than any other Penrith player and he will go down as one of the all-time great forwards.

“He is all-but an 80 minute player every week. He plays the middle at the highest standard and misses very few games.

“Isaah mixes it up between distributing the ball and hitting it up like a front rower. There is so much to his game.

“If you’re looking at the number of games and quality output, he’s probably been the best forward in the NRL over that (five-year) period, every week.

“He captained Australia this year and has had a hand in State of Origin wins throughout that period, series wins.

“Four straight comps and a grand final – he has done it all.”

Damien Cook, Ben Hunt, Junior Paulo, Liam Martin and James Fisher-Harris round out the top ten for most games played since 2020.

Yeo, Crichton, Luai, Martin and Fisher-Harris have all played a role in Penrith’s premiership dominance since 2021.

“When you look at Penrith’s sides over those four wins, it’s been virtually full strength in every grand final,” Alexander said.