International Rugby League have confirmed the Golden Boot winner for the 2024 season with England’s Herbie Farnworth missing out.
The Dolphins centre was looking to become the first Englishman to claim the award, handed to the best international rugby league player of the year, since Tommy Makinson did so in 2018.
Farnworth had made the six-man shortlist, which had been whittled down from an initial list of nominations that also included George Williams and Harry Smith as English representatives.
Instead, Penrith Panthers Isaah Yeo claimed the Golden Boot award with the Kangaroos captain following in the footsteps of former Penrith teammate James Fisher-Harris, who had scooped the award in 2023.
Fisher-Harris had become the first prop ever to claim the award whilst Yeo becomes the first loose forward to do so since England’s Andy Farrell in 2004.
Yeo won the award by beating out international teammates Harry Grant and Tom Trbojevic, whilst Keano Kini (New Zealand), Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga) and Farnworth completed the six-man shortlist.
Yeo claims International Rugby League Golden Boot
Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
News of Yeo’s win came from International Rugby League who released a statement, confirming: “Isaah Yeo has become the first Australian player to win the IRL Golden Boot in seven years and the Kangaroos captain created further history after assuming the award from Panthers team-mate and Kiwis counterpart James Fisher-Harris.”
Voting on the award were Darren Lockyer, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva, all men having made 50 or more international appearances.
IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “On behalf of the IRL Board, I wish to congratulate Isaah Yeo for his wonderful season at NRL, Origin and international level, culminating with the 2024 IRL Golden Boot.
“It underscores the current strength of international rugby league that no Australian had won the award since 2017 and the judges again faced a difficult decision as there were so many strong contenders.
“Isaah’s performances and leadership for the Kangaroos gave him the edge and his name will now be added to the list of greats who have won the Golden Boot in the 40 years since it was first awarded to Wally Lewis.”
Yeo’s head coach for Australia, Mal Meninga, said: “Isaah had a tremendous year all round, winning Origin, with his club and obviously with the Australian team, and I believe he thoroughly deserves to win the Golden Boot this year.”
The Penrith captain joins England winger Rob Hawkins and Jillaroos halfback Tarryn Aiken as the wheelchair and women’s 2024 IRL Golden Boot winners.
