Naden to fight for his spot
AN UPBEAT Brent Naden says he wants to fight his way back into Penrith’s starting team for Sunday night’s NRL grand final against Melbourne, adamant he was not angry with coach Ivan Cleary for dropping him for Tyrone May.
Cleary caught many by surprise when he elevated May into the starting side against South Sydney for the preliminary final at Naden’s expense.
Rather than kick stones, Naden said the competition within the squad made the young Panthers a strong team.
Asked if he was heartbroken to be told he wouldn’t be starting, he said: “A little bit.
“But would you rather be still named in the 17 or sitting watching it not in the squad?”
Given he was just a week away from giving up on his NRL dream last year before he got a first grade call-up, he’s not about to give up on himself just days away from potentially playing in a grand final.
“I reckon that is what has made this team so much better,” Naden said about the competition for positions. They are teammates but you fight for spots as well, and no one gets upset about it or anything. It brings the best out in each other.
“I probably celebrated more than the boys did. I think the boys were too battered.”
Naden said Cleary told him at the start of last week that he wouldn’t be in the run-on team but he had to keep it a secret.
Naden remains hopeful he can fight his way back.
“It is my goal to get back into the starting squad,” he said. “He (Cleary) gave me a few things to work on.”