NRL 2022: How Brent Naden broke Tigers move news to Bulldogs teammates

Brent Naden was forced to tell Canterbury players they were no longer teammates through a shock text message after a whirlwind transfer to rivals Wests Tigers.

DAILY TELEGRAPH. MAY 18, 2022. Pictured is Former Canterbury Bulldogs player Brent Naden training with his new team the Wests Tigers in Concord today. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Brent Naden’s move to Wests Tigers was sealed with a shock text message telling Canterbury players they are no longer teammates.

After being told Trent Barrett had quit as coach, players were sent home and given two days off.

Naden drove away from Belmore on Monday morning for the last time and without the chance to farewell his teammates.

The 26-year-old trained at Concord for the first time as a Tiger on Wednesday and will line up at right centre against the Bulldogs on Friday night.

Skipper Josh Jackson said the players were shocked to find out Naden had signed an 18-month deal with the Tigers.

“Brent was a little bit out of the blue. Yesterday mid afternoon, Brent sent us all a message,” Jackson said.

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After training was cancelled following the departure of Trent Barrett, Brent Naden was unable to farewell teammates in person before a whirlwind move to the Wests Tigers. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“We weren’t at training yesterday so he couldn't address the group. He was sorry for that but he told us all then.

“I spoke to him yesterday but I’m not too sure about the circumstances surrounding it but I just rang him to make sure he was all right.

“He felt pretty comfortable with his decision and said he made the best decision for his family.

“As long as he and his family are happy, that’s the main thing.”

Tigers captain James Tamou said the outside back is ‘raring’ to go against his former side.

“He’s a very social person and makes friends so easy. It’s more like, I maybe have to put a leash on him out there on the field,” Tamou said.

“He stands on his own two feet. He can do a job for us.”

Josh Jackson has welcomed the appointment of interim coach Mick Potter, but has urged Phil Gould to find a new head coach as soon as possible. Picture: Getty Images.

Canterbury premiership winner and former Tigers coach Mick Potter will step in as interim coach following Barrett’s departure, assistants David Furner and Craig Sandercock will prepare the side this week.

“He’ll chime in where he can but take over the reins from next week,” he said.

“I think he’s a fantastic edition, he has won two premierships here and he’s got a lot of experience as a head coach. He brings an outsider‘s perspective as well which is important.”

With an interim coach in place, the club will now turn its attention to appointing a new head coach for 2023.

“It’s above my pay grade,” Jackson said when asked if he wanted to have input into the coaching call.

Jackson urged Canterbury supremo Phil Gould to make a decision as soon as possible.

“We haven’t been given any indication, it has all happened quickly. It probably would be better for it to happen sooner rather than later, it helps everyone around the club with the little bit of uncertainty (at the moment),” Jackson said.

Jackson spoke to Barrett on Monday after the coach broke the news he was leaving.

“He was pretty upset, he felt like he was going to be here long-term and be part of the change when we started turning things around here. He was disappointed he couldn’t be a part of that,” he said.

Jackson has defended prop Paul Vaughan after his comments to the media after Trent Barrett stood down.

Jackson also rejected the suggestion there was a ‘culture problem’ at the club after prop Paul Vaughan took a pot shot at the media at Belmore earlier in the week.

“Not at all, if there was a cultural issue we would be getting beaten by 60 (points) every week which we are not,” Jackson said.

“ As for Paul’s comments, I don’t think there was much in that at all … I think he was just trying to stand up for his coach.”

Canterbury’s week of hell only got worse on Wednesday with Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr, Luke Thompson and Jayden Okunbor all suffering from the flu and in doubt to take on the Tigers.

“At the end of the day it’s the players that are responsible. We are the ones on the field and ones that are not delivering the results. Unfortunately, Trent has fallen on his sword for us … we owe it to fans, Trent and ourselves to go out there and win, which we plan to do,” Jackson said.

Originally published as NRL 2022: How Brent Naden broke Tigers move news to Bulldogs teammates