Bradman Best is coming off his “best year to date” but he’s “not content with that” as the star centre closes in on a contract extension with the Knights.
Best set a new personal record playing 25 games last season. He scored 13 tries, set up 10, got 11 linebreaks and averaged 119 running metres per game.
That form earnt him a State of Origin debut and caught the attention of rival clubs with the 22-year-old’s contract due to expire at the end of 2024.
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While Best remained tight-lipped on reports he’s set to sign a three-year deal with the Knights, he admitted it’s an “exciting” point in his career.
“My manager and the club are obviously talking and sorting stuff out behind the scenes,” Best told foxsports.com.au.
“I love the boys here, I’ve been here ever since I can remember — I’ve lived in Newcastle for most of my life.
“I obviously don’t want it dragging into the season so the sooner (the future is settled) the better.
“It’s a special club, like I said I’ve only ever been here and the boys make it special as well… it’s home.”
Best burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old in 2019 and was touted as a future Origin player. But a few lean years saw him drift further and further away from that dream.
A turnaround in form and a much happier year on the injury front put him back in the frame and in game three he scored a double on debut.
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Best is proud of what he achieved both at club and representative level. He said it “showed what I’m capable of”, but he knows it’s important to back it up this year.
“It was a big year for myself, I ticked a goal off in playing Origin. I think I had my best year to date,” he said.
“I guess reflecting on it, it was a good year but I’m not content with that. I want to keep doing that and playing bigger and better footy.
“It’s on me now to go out and do that again.”
Burton admits 2023 wasn’t his best | 00:43
A big reason behind Best’s surge in form last year was his decision to turn up to pre-season training early — something coach Adam O’Brien often spoke about during the season.
When asked about that decision, Best made an honest assessment of his previous years.
“I wanted to prove a point to myself and the boys, I felt like I let them down a bit,” he admitted.
“I just wanted to be my best so I thought I’d come in early and train with all of the new guys that started on day one — I think that definitely played a part.”
The Knights had a lot of highlights in 2023. A 10-game winning streak took them to the club’s first semi-final since 2013 and there were a few sold-out crowds at McDonald Jones Stadium along the way.
Kalyn Ponga won the Dally M, the now-Rooster Dom Young set a new club record for most tries in a season, Tyson Frizell returned to the Origin arena and Phoenix Crossland had a breakout seasons.
But bowing out of the finals with a 40-10 loss to the Warriors “has left a bit of hunger in us” according to Best.
He said they’re “chasing a premiership” and personally he’s “hungry for more” in 2024.
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