I am unsure where to put this, so I'm posting the article here.
Panthers say NRL rejected requests to have Naden make trial appearance
Christian Nicolussi
February 20, 2021 — 9.54pm
Penrith have revealed how they were denied - twice - by the NRL to allow Brent Naden play in a trial on Saturday night to help with his recovery and mental well-being after a tough 2020 and subsequent drugs ban.
Naden joined a few of his Panthers teammates in the stands at St Marys to watch a handful of first-graders, including Matt Burton, Spencer Leniu and Charlie Staines, play in a reserve-grade game against Mounties, the feeder club for the Bulldogs.
Penrith were denied twice by the NRL to have Brent Naden play in Saturday night’s trial.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS
Canterbury coach Trent Barrett was also at the game, but kept his distance from halves target Burton.
Naden was forced to miss one month of pre-season training for a drug ban, having tested positive to cocaine after October’s grand final, and wanted to make up some much-needed time on the field. Naden is also set to
miss the first month of the season after Penrith coach Ivan Cleary chose to stand his player down for not upholding the team’s standards with his cocaine use.
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