He showed plenty of determination earlier in the year, seemingly scored tries for fun at times, and has delivered some of the club's highlights in 2020 but Brent Naden could be the unlucky one to miss out in the Penrith Panthers' squad for the NRL grand final.
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Wellington Cowboys junior Naden was surprisingly dropped from the starting lineup for Saturday's preliminary final win over the Rabbitohs and spent the entire 80 minutes on the bench.
Tyrone May, often a utility this season, impressed in place of Naden and with Viliame Kikau returning from suspension from the decider someone will have to make way.
Naden, May and forwards Kurt Capewell and Spencer Leniu are now seemingly all battling for three spots in the lineup for the clash with the Melbourne Storm.
And while it will be devastating for whoever misses out, Naden stated at Sunday's club media day the focus is always on the big picture.
"That [would be] pretty selfish," Naden said.
"We've got a value, a team value - it's like 'team before I'. It's pretty selfish if you think [outside that value].
We've got a value, a team value - it's like 'team before I'.
- Brent Naden
"Hethro [Jack Hetherington] said to me, 'At least you're still in the team, I'm not in the 21. At least you're still in the 17.' It gave me a bit of perspective on it."
Naden has scored 12 tries in 18 games this season but admitted only last week his defence has struggled at times during the year.
It had resulted in the former Wellington junior being dropped earlier in the year but only last week he had spoken about how a more mature approach had helped him take on constructive criticism to improve his game.
Naden's fellow Western Rams junior, Isaah Yeo, is as certain as anyone else in the Panthers side to be starting next Sunday night.
Yeo was one of three Panthers put on report for separate high shots during the win over the Rabbitohs but he James Fisher-Harris and Zane Tetevano all avoided being charged.
Dubbo junior Yeo was edged out for man of the match in the preliminary final victory and he is expected to be added to the extended NSW Origin squad regardless of Sunday's grand final result.
Grand final squads will be named on Tuesday afternoon.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
