‘I’m not ready to go overseas yet’: Brent Naden desperate to stay in the NRL as Tigers veteran suffers injury setback in the trials

Brent Naden has revealed why he turned down a stretcher on Friday night, with the Wests Tigers veteran making a bold call on his future plans.

Wests Tigers centre Brent Naden knew something was wrong when a teammate had one look at his knee and walked away, but he’s confident he can be back on the field in 6-8 weeks as he shuts down suggestions his time in the NRL could be coming to an end.

Naden suffered a nasty injury in the first half of his side’s win over the Eels on Friday night when he was bent backwards in an awkward tackle and was helped from the field by two trainers after he turned down a stretcher.

“I’ll get scans (on Saturday), but the quick diagnosis is that my knee has popped out. Hopefully no ligament (damage) so hopefully 6-8 weeks,” he said.

“I’m probably in more pain now than I was on the field because I had so much adrenaline going through me, but I knew it was bad because Jeral Skelton was walking over and went ‘ahhhhh’ and then walked away.

Brent Naden hopes to be back within the next two months after he suffered a serious knee injury in his side’s win over the Eels. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“When I looked up and saw it, I was like ‘Jesus’.

“I was more in shock and had adrenaline running through me more than anything, but I’m in a little bit of pain now so hopefully it doesn’t give me too much grief overnight.”

Former NRL prop Tim Grant sat by his side during the interview and kept him in a positive mindset the moment he pondered whether he had done more significant damage to his knee.

It’s a “frustrating” setback for Naden who fell out of favour at the Tigers last year but kept his spot thanks to a strong pre-season which saw him produce an epic try-saving tackle for the Indigenous All Stars last week.

He had already scored a try on Friday off an Adam Doueihi kick and was fighting to put pressure on coaches to consider him for a spot in a back five that now boasts plenty of depth.

At 29 and off contract at the end of the year, Naden deserves the chance to show he still belongs in the NRL, with the strike centre not ready to move overseas.

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“Yeah it’s frustrating because I set myself up with a really good pre-season,” he said.

“I handled last week and got through the game with no injuries and my body felt really good afterwards.

“Fitness felt really good through the game, but it’s just one of those things.

“At the moment I’m not really too worried about that (contract). I’m worried about getting my knee right and getting back on the paddock as soon as possible.

“Whatever happens, happens.

“I’m not ready to go overseas yet. It was head down, arse up in pre-season, and I feel like I’ve done that.”

Fans were stunned that he was able to walk from the field despite a stretcher being brought out, but Naden explained why that was never an option.

“My nan and pop were watching at home so I couldn’t live it down if I got stretchered off,” he said.

“I’ve never been stretchered off and I didn’t want to start tonight.”

Originally published as ‘I’m not ready to go overseas yet’: Brent Naden desperate to stay in the NRL as Tigers veteran suffers injury setback in the trials