SHE might not be one to talk up her talents, but anyone who has witnessed the speed, vision and skill of Erin Naden does not need to hear words.
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They are assets which led the St Pat's fullback to winning two of Group 10 league tag's top gongs on Friday night - player of the year and top try scorer.
Naden has been a key figure in seeing the Saints claim an undefeated minor premiership and crossed for the opening try in the blue and whites' 30-10 major semi-final win over Orange Hawks.
Prior to that, Naden had scored 23 tries.
It would be really good to get the [grand final] win, hopefully we can do it again and just add to the collection of trophies I guess.
- St Pat's fullback Erin Naden
She said she was surprised to win both awards, but nonetheless honoured given the glut of talented players in the league tag competition.
"I am pretty surprised actually, there are a lot of deserving players out there and being young too. There are heaps of girls in our team that I think deserved it, but I'm very honoured to get the award," she said.
"To be honest I didn't really think it was that many tries, I don't really keep count of tries. I thought it would have been Meredith [Jones] that got there, but it's pretty good.
"It's good to get just one try, but to get top try scorer, that's pretty good."
Before attending Friday night's Group 10 awards evening, it had already been a big week for the sporting talent. Naden competed at the New South Wales CHS State Athletics Championships where she placed fifth in the 100 metres sprint and snared bronze in the 200m.
But Naden hopes the week to come is even better as she aims to win her second grand final with the Saints.
"I had state athletics Wednesday to Friday and got back like an hour before the presentation, so I was pretty tired. It was a very successful week," she said.
"It would be really good to get the [grand final] win, hopefully we can do it again and just add to the collection of trophies I guess."
While Naden's attacking prowess has a been a huge asset to the Saints this season, coach Mick Armstrong points out that she is also a key defender.
The pace which has seen her slice through opposition defensive lines so many times this season has also allowed her to deny rivals.
"She's definitely had a great year this year, she's scored a heap of tries and probably saved twice as many," Armstrong said.
"We know we're quite lucky that when someone makes a break, we've got Erin there to cut them down before they get to the try line. She doesn't miss many tags, so that's a big part of her game as well, defence.
"She's not just quick, she's got it all which is good for us that's for sure ... I'm sure she's going to have a good game in the grand final.
"She'c certainly come on leaps and bounds. Like she showed a lot of quality last year, but I think she's even better this year and is gaining in confidence every week."
The premier league player of the year gong went to Orange Hawks lock Nathan Potts. The first division player of the year was Lithgow's Jack Gale while Blayney prop Liam Henry claimed the under 18s honour.
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