When Shaylee Bent first pulled on her new training shirt, she was a shy young lady looking to find her voice in a rebuilt Wests Tigers NRLW program.
It was not as though Bent was a rookie looking to find her feet. Far from it, having played in the NRLW with St George Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans since 2019.
For Bent, it was more about earning the respect of her new team-mates first. Her ability as a dangerous edge runner and strong defender would naturally come to the fore.
Bent has certainly done that, and more, culminating in winning the coveted NRLW Players’ Player award at the Wests Tigers Gala Presentation on Tuesday night.
“I was pretty shocked. (Team-mates) Holli Wheeler and Shenai Lendill said to me when it was time to announce the winner to get ready,’’ she admitted.
“They said, 'we think you’ve got this'. I wasn’t even prepared. I had my heels off under the table.
“When I was called out, I didn't realise the significance of the award and how it is voted on by your peers.
“When I woke up on Wednesday, it hit me. I'm really honoured to receive that award from my team-mates, so there was a lot of gratitude that morning.
“Honestly, I’m lost for words, because when you are voted by your team-mates, it means they respect you and they trust you on the field.
“I’m just lucky I get to play with these bunch of girls.
“When I first got here, it was an uncomfortable environment because I didn't know many. I knew a few (players), obviously, but not the whole team, so just gaining that trust with the girls and them trusting in me was important.
“I guess I've grown a lot as a person. I like to be in places that are known to me and where I feel comfortable.
“I'm just so happy and glad I have that respect from the players. When I first arrived, I was shy. The girls now know that I’m not shy. They might say that I’m annoying (laughs).
Bent’s two year-deal to play under new Coach Craig Sandercock also marked a return to Concord after she played in the Wests Tigers Tarsha Gale Cup side in 2018.
A player whose game is built on power and athleticism, it was her professionalism and positive attitude that would eventually rub off on some of her younger team-mates.
It was that type of work ethic that new Wests Tigers Coach Craig Sandercock knew he was getting when Bent signed a two-year-deal to leave the Titans.
“They’ve made me feel so comfortable and I can be myself here, especially ‘Sandy’ and the staff as well. Everyone accepts me for who I am, which is good,’’ Bent added.
“This is my first time being coached by ‘Sandy’ and he's exceeded my expectations.
“He is so passionate. He looks at things through a different lens, and you might think, you know the obvious, but he's looking deeper.
“Every week, he gives us clips individually and, you know, we could easily move on to the next week and forget about the last week, but to him, it's looking at what we're doing now and then what we can do to be better.
“He is one of a kind. He belongs where he is because he's just so good at what he does.”
For Sandercock, it was little surprise that Bent claimed the Players’ Player award after seeing first-hand what she has achieved as a person.
“Shaylee started off pretty quiet but now she’s a very important player,’’ Sandercock offered.
“She’s up there now with those senior players in terms of how she trains, how she plays. She leads by example in everything she does.
“Winning the Players’ Player award shows that the players obviously value her and the coaching staff do as well.
“Full credit to her. Shaylee’s been an absolute pleasure to coach since the day she got here.”
Bent will now be looking to cap off a big week by turning in another strong performance on Friday night in the Wests Tigers’ maiden NRLW finals appearance.
The Tigers face the Canberra Raiders for the second time in a week in the elimination final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“I started getting excited for it when I watched the Penrith-Roosters (NRL finals) game last Sunday and how close it was,’’ Bent said.
“You’ve done the hard work in the regular season to make the finals, but now it’s anyone’s game.
“I love semi-final footy. It’s whoever shows up on the day.
“These games are exciting because if we don't win, we're gone.
“I grew up playing in the Koori Knockout and every game was do-or-die.
“I’m going to be bringing that mentality from the Koori Knockout obviously into this game.
“So, whatever happens, happens. Let’s go”
