This year, he runs out as a championship winner.

But he does so without any of the teammates that helped him earn that crown.

The Wellington three-quarter is the only returning player from the successful Western outfit that stormed to last year’s under 18s title with a 32-26 win over Newcastle in the final.

A new coach in Paul McDonald, 17 new teammates, an opposition new to the championship fold in the form of the Penrith Panthers’ development side and the championship now has a new name, too, the Laurie Daley Cup – there’s a lot for Naden to take in when round one kicks off on Saturday.

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But his coach believes it won’t take Naden long to feel right at home as the Rams prepare for their championship opener at Mudgee.

“Brock’s our only returning player in the centres, but the whole preparation has been great,” McDonald said, taking over the reigns of the under 18s side from Cameron Greenhalgh.

“We’ve got the 18 players, had a two-day camp last weekend at Burrendong and finalised our game play and field sets.

“Certainly up against Penrith this weekend we give ourselves a good chance.

“Hopefully we win this game and get a bit of momentum.”

With essentially a whole new under 18s side on deck this year, ensuring combinations form would normally be at the top of McDonald’s agenda.

But the Rams’ star under 16s fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker have all made the transistion up to the next age group.

McDonald expects the likes of Benji Glasheen (Parkes), Harry Blake (Nyngan), Josh Board (Orange CYMS) and Campbell Woolnough (Forbes) to guide the side through the Daley Cup with aplomb.

“What we’re looking for is for the forwards to get the defensive line on the back foot so the likes of Benj and Cam, with those quick play the balls, can terrorise the defence,” McDonald said.

“Doing that will be on the likes of Luke Bain, who is the captain at lock, it’s important for him and David White to get the defeners going backwards.”

McDonald expected Penrith, an under 17s development side, to be stacked with talent.

“They’ve trained with (the Panthers’) SG Ball squad, so they’ve got a fair bit of footy under their belt,” he added.

The first round of the Laurie Daley Cup will kick-off at 3.30pm at Mudgee on Saturday.

WESTERN: 1 Benjamin Glasheen (Parkes Spaceman), 2 Denis Spathis (Condobolin Rams), 3 Coopa Martin (Forbes Magpies), 4 Brock Naden (Wellington Cowboys), 5 Zarrin Galea (Dubbo CYMS), 6 Harry Blake (Nyngan Tigers), 7 Josh Board (Orange CYMS), 8 Nick Barlow (Bathurst Panthers), 9 Campbell Woolnough (Forbes Magpies), 10 David White (Condobolin Rams), 11 Mitch Collins (Orange CYMS), 12 Tyrone Harrison (Orange CYMS), 13 Luke Bain © (Bathurst Panthers); Bench: 14 Nathan Swain (Orange CYMS), 15 Thomas Stimpson (Dubbo Cyms), 16 Colby Peckham (Dubbo CYMS), 17 Bradley Fearnley (Bathurst Panthers), 18 Aaron Mawhinney (Forbes Magpies).