Naden steps up for CYMS' finals hopes
Naden steps up for CYMS' finals hopes -Daily Liberal, September 4, 2015
To call Matt Naden an unsung hero of Dubbo CYMS would be doing him a disservice, but it is hard to think of a more apt description of a player that has been an invaluable servant of the club.
Naden is a player called upon by Tim Ryan to cover a number of different roles within the Fishies team in different situations, but after speaking with half-a-dozen players and Ryan at training on Wednesday night it is apparent the utility is one of the most valued members of the club.
From helping union convert Scott Burgess learn the basics of rugby league to providing stiff defence in the middle of the park, to complementing the leadership of veteran Luke Jenkins, Naden is the ultimate go-to guy.
But he does it all with a minimum of fuss.
"Every week I have a job to do and it doesn't matter if it's the same job as the week before or something different, I go out there and try to do it," he said.
"It's the same with all the boys but I suppose I have a bit of versatility and Tim has been able to use me in a few different positions over the years.
"This week we have a big job against Parkes, we know that. We've played them three times this year and had some pretty close games so we have to go out there and not let up for the full 80 minutes."
Burgess has been a major beneficiary of Naden's versatility, with the lock-cum-five-eighth providing a rock solid presence on the centre's inside during the season.
"My job has been made heaps easier by having 'Nado' inside me," Burgess said.
"He doesn't miss too many tackles so it's helped me to pick up my reads in defence, especially when John Grey got injured. Up until John got hurt I had him outside me, talking to me, but 'Nado' is a very good communicator."