Bradman Best Will Give the Knights “First Crack” Before Rivals, Then Marks Knights Teammate Dane Gagai in the World Cup Final
Bradman Best will sit down with Newcastle before he listens to any other club, he told Zero Tackle, even though he has been free to talk to rivals since 1 November.
“I love the coach (at Newcastle). I want to sit down and give the Knights, Justo (Justin Holbrook) the first crack at it,” Best said. “So we’ll sit down after this, hopefully go have a nice dinner and talk a few things over.”
A father now, and a brother at the club
Best’s deal runs to the end of 2027. Last week he said a reported $4 million Knights offer never existed, and reports put Parramatta about $200,000 a season ahead, which we covered in our story on the Eels and Knights offers.
He made clear family will decide it. “I’m a father now. I’ve got a little daughter, and I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family,” he said.
His younger brother Baxter has signed with Newcastle for 2027. “My brother did just sign with Newy. So there’s definitely reasons to stay,” Best said. “I’m just gonna worry about that after (the World Cup final).”
Marking his own teammate
First comes Sunday’s final at Suncorp Stadium. Best will mark Dane Gagai, his Newcastle teammate, in the New Zealand side.
“I can’t wait. Obviously, I respect Gags a lot,” Best said. “What he’s done for me, how much he’s helped me. But we’re in different jerseys, and I’ll be excited for the battle and the challenge.”
Best made his Test debut against Fiji and scored his first Kangaroos try against Samoa in the semi-final, where he marked Stephen Crichton. “(Crichton’s) a great centre and has been for a long time in the game,” he said. “I love the personal challenge.”
He has a record at the ground. Best scored a long-range try for NSW in the 2026 Origin decider at Suncorp. Kick-off times for every time zone are on our World Cup final page.
