Bulldogs winger Brent Naden has been called up to the Indigenous All Stars side for the All Stars match, completing an inspirational comeback from a grand final cocaine saga that shocked the NRL.
Naden served a month’s suspension after returning a drug test in late 2020 that was positive to two metabolites of cocaine. Naden used the drug recreationally on the night before the 2020 grand final, in which he played off the Penrith Panthers’ bench.
An NRL investigation found that Naden had also breached the Panthers’ biosecurity bxjmtzywubble on the night before the decider. He was fined $5000 over the biosecurity breach almost one year ago to the date.
Since returning the positive drug test, Naden has completed a voluntary rehabilitation program and managed to break back into the Panthers’ first grade side in a premiership year.
He played on the wing in Penrith’s gutsy 8-6 semi-final win over the Eels but was dropped when Origin star Brian To’o returned to full fitness.
This season, Naden is set to reunite with former Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett at the Bulldogs, where he’ll hope to lock down the regular starting spot that eluded him at the foot of the mountains last season.
Naden’s redemption appeared to have been completed on Friday when Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould confirmed he had been selected for representative honours for the first time.
A proud Wiradjuri man, Naden has been added to the Indigenous All Stars squad for the All Stars game against the Maori All Stars on February 12.
Naden will join new Bulldogs teammate Josh Addo-Carr in the Indigenous All Stars side. The pair are already getting on like a house on fire – earlier this week, Bulldogs recruit Matt Dufty revealed the two wingers had gone pig hunting together during the Bulldogs’ pre-season camp in Tamworth.
Naden, Addo-Carr and Dufty all joined the Bulldogs as part of a spending spree ahead of Barrett’s second season as coach.
Paul Vaughan, Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Jr. and Braidon Burns have also been added to the roster as Barrett looks to improve on a disappointing 2021.
