The impact Brent Naden had for the Penrith Panthers on Sunday night was immediate but coach Ivan Cleary insists his huge selection cause was the reason for a grand final defeat.
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Wellington junior and outside back Naden, having not lost a game with the Panthers this season, again started on the bench in the grand final and only entered the match early in the second half.
There had been a huge amount of conjecture around Naden's place in the team in the lead-up to kick-off on Sunday, with some tipping he would miss out on a spot in the final 17 altogether.
But to the relief of Naden and the group of family and friends from Wellington who made the trip to ANZ Stadium, he retained his place.
After a testing couple of weeks and the defeat Naden was visibly devastated after the match and was consoled by those family and friends in the stands.
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The 24-year-old had been dropped back to the bench for the preliminary final a week prior with questions raised about his defence.
Tyrone May again started in the centres in the decider to add some more stability but he failed to have an impact for the Panthers and was in the firing line himself inside the first 10 minutes.
May gave the Storm the first points of the night when he kicked out with his leg while attempting to stop Justin Olam close to the line and it was ruled a penalty try.
May and Nathan Cleary also missed Storm fullback and Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen when he sliced through early in the second half and ran away to score it a moment that went a long way to sealing the win for Melbourne.
Naden entered the fray roughly 10 minutes into the second half and set about doing all he could to drag the Panthers back into the game.
The Cowboys product had four tackle busts, a linebreak, a linebreak assist and ran for 72 metres but Cleary, speaking post-game, stood by his selection gamble.
"I thought he played really well. Really well," Cleary said of Naden's second-half performance.
"Those are the decisions you make, I was happy with how that went. I always thought he could add something at the back end of the game ... disappointing that it was 26-0 at that stage."
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.
