Former Temora coach Sam Elwin, who played alongside Naden in Penrith's 2015 under-20 premiership side, said the electric outside back had all but agreed to play with the Dragons, disillusioned by a lack of chances in the big time.

But after being lured to the Panthers on a part-time deal last year, the centre has scored 20 tries in 28 games and is now signed with Penrith until the end of next year.

Naden was skipper of the star-studded Penrith under-20s side which featured the likes of Jarome Luai, Dylan Edwards, James Fisher-Harris, Tyrone May and Moses Leota, all of whom will play against the Roosters in tonight's qualifying final.

Elwin, who was Penrith's halfback for most of that season, said Naden feared his NRL chance may have come and gone, and had agreed to play for Temora.

"He was always our gun in the twenties. A couple of years ago he wasn't that far off coming here (Temora) last year," Elwin said.

"He had a go at Canberra (train and trial opportunity) and he wasn't getting a go anywhere. We all but had him at Temora but Penrith threw him a lifeline.

"He was going to stay with me, but he went there instead which is good. It's good to see him playing great footy."

Elwin can relate to a lack of chances leading to a loss in belief. He returned home to Temora midway through 2016 after a stint in NSW Cup didn't go according to plan.

"I knew how he (Naden) felt, he was just over footy," Elwin said.

"When you're not getting picked in sides you lose all motivation really, I knew where he was coming from. I told him he could come here for a year, and if you want to go back and have another crack that's great.

"I was similar to Brent, I wasn't getting a gig so I went home. That's my 'what if' year (2016), I kinda look back at that and regret it."

Elwin said the Panthers' 2015 under-20 side was always tight knit, pointing to a pre-season army camp they endured over the pre-season as a major factor.

"We went away to an army camp and we became real tight," he said.

"We were carrying sandbags and climbing in mud, swimming blindfolded, getting woken up in the middle of the night by water being thrown at us.

"They told us we were going for a pre-season bonding session, so we all packed our good clothes and a few boys threw beers in their bags, but then we got off the bus in the middle of nowhere.

"It was tough but very rewarding. It's even more rewarding to see players you've played with doing well."

With Temora product Liam Martin rated a 'smokey' for Origin selection this year, Elwin backed the fellow Dragons junior to take the next step if called upon after the back rower's stellar breakout season.

"I could definitely see him playing Origin. It would suit because he's definitely a tough and physical footy player," he said.

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