After a solid showing at the Downer NRL Auckland Nines, Panthers utility Isaah Yeo has embraced the old 'jack of all trades' adage for the season ahead.
A preferred lock Yeo has thrown his weight around predominately in the centres and back row throughout his burgeoning NRL career, and is content in doing so for seasons to come.
As he approaches his third year of first grade football - under a new coach - the 21-year-old Dubbo junior is happy to ply his trade anywhere in the 17.
"Being versatile, it always helps. It's a blessing and a curse. You sort of can't stick to one spot which I've come to grips with over the last couple of years but I guess wherever I can help the team, and if I'm in the 17, you can't complain at all," Yeo told NRL.com.
"I've enjoyed playing all different positions and obviously learning different things from different people who are specific in certain roles.
"I'm only three years into my career so I'm really just trying to cement a top 17 berth. I don't think until you become a full time first grader that you can pick and choose so at the moment I'm happy playing any position."
An ideal replacement for departed Sea Eagle Lewis Brown, Yeo has goals for 2016 he is yet to achieve in his 31 game career.
His versatility however, may not help him in that quest.
"My football last year wasn't consistent enough I don't think. You can probably use the excuse I was a rookie, but I wasn't a rookie," Yeo said.
"It was my second year and I knew I could've done a lot better in a few games, so I'm trying to rectify that this season.
"There would be games where I'd walk off and think 'that was an improvement' but the next week you'd be like 'what's happened?' but I can't use it as an excuse. I just have to be better."
With a long list of back-rowers and centres making Yeo's quest for NRL football slightly more difficult, the former NSW Residents representative said the club's depth is only proving beneficial.
"You just see the way [internationals Trent Merrin and Elijah Taylor] go about their job, they're very professional and you can just tell they have been around the game a bit and that's obviously why they're at the top level," Yeo said.
"To have the two senior plays like Trent Merrin and Elijah Taylor, along with the up and comers as in [Tyrone] Peachey and Bryce [Cartwright], it's a good learning experience for all of us players."
