Bradman Best has taken a pointed swipe at the departing Newcastle Knights official who had been handling his contract negotiations, as uncertainty over his future continues ahead of his Australia debut.
The 25-year-old New South Wales centre is set to make his first appearance for the Kangaroos against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night. If he does not sign an extension before November 1, rival clubs are expected to show strong interest in his services.
Best reportedly rejected Newcastle’s initial offer before the Knights’ one-point grand final defeat. Parramatta are among the clubs tipped to pursue him, while the Knights’ head of recruitment, Peter O’Sullivan, has since left for a role with the Brisbane Broncos.
Anthony Field has replaced O’Sullivan at Newcastle. Without directly naming his former contract negotiator, Best said: ‘I know the person who was handling the contracts, a few people were upset, but now he’s gone so hopefully we can get something there done.’
Best said he was in no hurry to resolve his future while with the Australian squad, despite the November deadline approaching.
‘Obviously, I’m a Newcastle junior, I love it there and have been there since I was a young kid, but I’m a father now, and I’ve got to do what’s best for me,’ he said after training in Brisbane on Thursday.
Best has a young child with his partner, Kayla Fenech, the daughter of Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech. He said ensuring his family was settled and happy would be central to his decision, along with the chance to compete for trophies.
‘I know November is around the corner, but I’ll just put all talk on hold. I’ll let all the media talk, all the contract stuff will sort itself out, but I’m in no rush,’ Best said.
‘Money isn’t the be all and end all, it goes a long way, but I want to make sure I’m winning.’
The centre also said leaving Newcastle would be difficult after helping the club emerge from a period of struggle, particularly following the disappointment of losing the grand final.
‘I just came off a grand final loss and I want to chase that premiership. Walking away would be hard, I’ve been through the struggles for a long time, and to see where we’ve come now and what we’re able to achieve is special,’ he said.
Best also paid tribute to Jeff Fenech, who he said was in hospital with heart problems. The four-time boxing world champion underwent open-heart surgery in March 2024.
‘He’s actually in hospital at the moment, so I’m thinking of him, but he’s tough and he’s always a fight,’ Best said. ‘He’s done a lot for me in my career, I was visiting last week, and he’s always given me tips on what to do and how to be better.’
Sunday’s match will fulfil a childhood ambition for Best, who recalled writing in year six that he wanted to play rugby league for Australia. The occasion will take place at the same Suncorp Stadium where he has appeared in two State of Origin deciders, although this time he will be representing the Kangaroos.
‘As I got older, I kept working towards it. I hated school and put all my eggs into one basket, and that was rugby league,’ Best said. ‘For the young kids coming through, I’ll always tell them to dream big and aspire to whatever you want to do and whoever you want to be.’
