Versatile Yeo relishing role as man in the middle for Cleary

Penrith forward Isaah Yeo has welcomed the chance for more time in the middle after a strong 80-minute performance against the Roosters in round one.

Yeo made a successful return from a shoulder reconstruction on Saturday night, with the usual edge-runner switching to lock for Ivan Cleary after finding his way into the No.13 jersey late last season.

With Liam Martin, Viliame Kikau and injured forward Kurt Capewell options for Ivan Cleary on the edge, Yeo's move to the middle produced strong results.

"It's only one game but I was pleased to get through the 80 minutes and get a win on the end of it," Yeo said on Monday.

"I enjoy it [in the middle], the more you do it the more you get used to it. You're in a lot more plays where it's touching the ball or in more tackles.

"I would usually start on an edge and the move in the middle and hold on as long as I could. Last year I was a bit all over the place, I was playing in the centres and both edges.

"Last year wasn't my greatest year with the shoulder reconstruction so I tried to put my best foot forward in the pre-season.

"That might be the case again this year, it just depends how he wants to play it."

Yeo said confidence was sky high within the club after the Panthers rallied from a 12-0 deficit in the first half to beat the Roosters in the season opener.

The 25-year-old was most pleased with the side's composure after a difficult start to the game.

"It was a massive win, it was what we were preparing for 3-4 months with the pre-season," he said.

"I think [last year] we would've struggled to come back, confidence was a little lower last year and that's probably where we struggled the most.

"To come out of the other side of that and adapt to the game was pleasing."

Panthers players kept their distance from a small pack of media at Penrith's training facilities on Monday with the club's academy also closed to visitors and non-essential staff as precautionary measures for coronavirus takes place.

Yeo conceded he was "naïve" about comments made by Peter V'landys on Sunday regarding the game's financial position if the competition was suspended, which could also affect future payments to players.

"At the moment we're still playing, until that changes all those dire straight comments can start," Yeo said.

"We're paid to play with or without a crowd. While we can play most are happy to. There are obviously some players and teams with different circumstances.

"There's pros and cons to both sides. I'm a bit naïve to all that and haven't read into the comments enough."

The Panthers are hopeful Zane Tetevano (knee) will be available for the clash against St George Illawarra with fellow prop Jack Hetherington facing a two-week suspension for a grade two high tackle on James Tedesco.