LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
'Could've been worse,' sighs Naden as injury sidelines him for extended period
After a standout performance for the Indigenous All Stars last week, where he narrowly missed out on the prestigious 2025 Preston Campbell Medal, Wests Tigers' outside back Brent Naden is facing a frustrating setback.
According to reports from zerotackle.com, Naden caught the eye of club officials with his impressive efforts during pre-season training.
With hopes of cementing his spot in the starting lineup, Naden now finds himself sidelined with a dislocated kneecap, potentially putting him out of action for up to 12 weeks.
This injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the off-contract player, as he was aiming to secure a future with the Tigers or another team.
Reflecting on his misfortune, Naden remarked, "Probably more pain now than I was on the field." It's a tough blow for the talented player, who was gearing up for what felt like his last chance to prove himself in the 2025 season.
As Naden navigates this setback, he'll need to draw on his mental toughness and resilience to bounce back stronger.
In the game of Rugby League, injuries are an unfortunate reality that every player must face at some point in their career.
But as they say, it's not about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
But Naden remains optimistic, knowing that setbacks are just part of the game.
He'll work hard in rehab and focus on making a triumphant return to the field.
After all, in the game of footy, it's not about how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up.
Here's hoping Naden makes a speedy recovery and gets back to doing what he does best - tearing up the field with his speed and skill.