State of Origin: Brad Fittler tells Isaah Yeo he's been selected for New South Wales

Brendan Bradford

State of Origin: Brad Fittler tells Isaah Yeo he's been selected for New South Wales image

Issah Yeo will add to his two State of Origin caps after New South Wales coach Brad Fittler told the Panthers forward he'd been selected for the 2021 series during a live interview on the Footy Show on Channel Nine on Sunday morning. 

Yeo played off the bench in games two and three of last year's series, and has been in incredible form as Penrith started the season with 12 consecutive victories in 2021. 

The 26-year-old was told of his selection during a live interview on The Footy Show on Sunday. 

"Cheers, Fred. Bloody unreal, ay," Yeo said when given the news. 

"Bloody exciting and you dream of playing in games like that. I was fortunate enough to get a taste last year, but it's bloody unreal."

Yeo joins Nathan Cleary as confirmed Origin players from the table-topping Panthers side, with Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton all hoping for the call-up as well. 

Penrith's reserve grade side is flying high in the New South Wales Cup, with Yeo saying the club has the depth to cover during the Origin period. 

"It's going to be a challenging time, but our New South Wales Cup side copped their first loss yesterday, so we've got some real depth there," he said. 

"We've got to cover for a lot of positions, so we'll see how we go.

"It's a good challenge, but it's one we're all ready for."

Fittler revealed that he had made several calls on Sunday morning to tell players they'd been selected for their Origin debuts. 

Yeo had his first taste of Origin footy last year, but Fittler said telling him the news is a real highlight. 

"One of the great things you get to do is tell people they're going to play State of Origin," Fittler said. 

"When you've got a kid who grew up in Dubbo and who loves his footy, and you can tell the way he plays week in, week out - he's now about to have a baby - and he gets to go and play State of Origin on the biggest stage.

"It's wonderful, I'm very grateful to be able to do that." 

Yeo made an immediate impact in his Origin debut, coming off the bench as New South Wales levelled the series at home last year. 

In his 40 minutes on debut, Yeo ran for 127 metres and two tackle breaks while making 15 tackles.

In game three, which the Blues lost, Yeo played 61 minutes, making a linebreak and three tackle breaks in 108 metres run. 

 

Brendan Bradford