Isaah Yeo triumph sparks fresh calls for Golden Boot change as 'bizarre' detail called out

Questions are being asked about the 'bizarre' timing and delivery of the news that Isaah Yeo won the Golden Boot on Wednesday, breaking a seven-year drought for Australian players. And there are also fresh calls for a revamp of the prestigious award.

Yeo became the first Aussie player in seven years to win the men's Golden Boot award, with the Kangaroos captain adjudged the best player in the international rugby league window. Not since Cameron Smith in 2017 has an Australian player won the prestigious gong, which is awarded based on performance in the end-of-season Test matches.

Yeo assumed the Kangaroos captaincy for the Pacific Championships this year in a transition period for the national team that saw veterans Jake Trbojevic, James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans all axed. But under the guidance of Panthers skipper Yeo, the Kangaroos beat Tonga in the Pacific Cup final to exorcise their demons after losing to New Zealand in the decider last year.

Questions raised about 'bizarre' Golden Boot announcement

The judging panel of Darren Lockyer, James Graham and Petero Civoniceva selected Yeo from a shortlist that also included Australia teammates Harry Grant and Tom Trbojevic, Tonga captain Addin Fonua-Blake, New Zealand young gun Keano Kini and English centre Herbie Farnworth. And while there's no denying that Yeo deserves the award, questions are being asked about how it was announced on Wednesday.

Considering the award is one of the most prestigious in rugby league and has previously been won by some all-time legends, there was little fanfare or pageantry when Yeo was named winner on Wednesday. Rather than taking place at a ceremony when he could actually collect the award, Yeo's triumph was announced via press release in the middle of the afternoon.

Veteran journalist Martin Gabor wrote on social media: "Absolutely bizarre handling of the Golden Boot. Why are we announcing it via media releases at random times during the afternoon? Players deserve so much more. Should be a ceremony."

Fresh calls for revamp of Golden Boot judging process

And fellow journalist Michael Caranayannis has renewed calls for a revamp on how it's judged. In previous years, the Golden Boot was judged based on a player's regular season performance (in the NRL or English Super League), as well as State of Origin and Test matches.

But it's now only based off matches in the international window, which might be only two games for some players. It also means superstar players like Nathan Cleary, Kalyn Ponga and Cameron Munster weren't even in contention because they didn't play the Pacific Championships due to injuries.

"The Golden boot needs a revamp," Carayannis said on SEN radio on Thursday. "You have to have someone watching NRL, Super League and State of Origin has to have some weight as well. From there, you pick a player. It has to come back into a broader scope where it includes domestic football."

Former NRL player Jimmy Smith said: "The lustre of Wally Lewis, Peter Sterling, Hugh McGahan, Garry Jack, Brett Kenny and Cameron Smith all winning the Golden Boot has evaporated." Carayannis added: "It doesn't have the same sort of excitement or prestige around it that it once had."

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The award caps a phenomenal year for Yeo, who also captained Penrith to a fourth-straight NRL premiership and helped NSW win the Origin series (not that they counted towards the Golden Boot). International rugby league chair Tony Grant said in a statement: "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. 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."

with AAP