Gun Knights centre Bradman Best had a crack at Newcastle’s departing recruitment boss as he was grilled on his contract situation inside Australia’s World Cup camp on Thursday.
Best, who is set to become a free agent on November 1, spoke about the importance of looking after his family as he was peppered with questions about his playing future.
Bradman Best at Kangaroos training. Getty Images
He also took an unprompted jab at Peter O’Sullivan, the veteran recruitment guru who in recent weeks has quit his post at the Knights to take up a lucrative job with the Broncos.
“I know there’s a few of us lads at Newcastle coming off contract,” Best told media ahead of Australia’s clash with Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.
“I know the person that was handling the contracts, a few people were upset (with him), but now he’s gone, so hopefully we can get something done there.”
According to News Corp, the Knights have tabled a four-year contract for Best worth about $4 million.
Rival clubs are preparing to offer their own big-money deals to the NSW State of Origin ace.
Best was crucial to Newcastle’s improbable rise to this year’s NRL grand final and his value will balloon even more if he stars for the Kangaroos in the World Cup.
The 25-year-old will make his Kangaroos debut against Fiji on Sunday night.
“Obviously I’m a Newcastle junior. I love it there. I’ve been there since a young kid, but I’m a father now and I’ve gotta do what’s best for me,” he said.
“Obviously I’m here in camp worrying about this. I know November’s around the corner. I’ll just put it on hold.
“I’m in no rush, and all the boys – I think there’s half the Aussie team here off contract, so there’s plenty of talk. All the boys are talking about it … There’s plenty of cash getting around apparently, so we’ll see what happens.”
Best got engaged to Kayla Fenech, the daughter of boxing legend Jeff Fenech, in March.
Their daughter Kaliyah turns one in December.
“My family, making sure we’re settled, we’re happy. I’m a father now, I’ve got a bub, so making sure we’re happy, healthy,” Best said, explaining what was important to him in his contract talks.
“And obviously I wanna win games. Money’s not the be-all and end-all. It goes a long way, but I wanna make sure I’m winning games.
New Broncos recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan. Supplied
“I just come off a grand final loss and I want to chase that premiership.
“So I’ll take everything into (account).”
Another factor in Best’s contract negotiations is the arrival of his teenaged brother Baxter at the Knights.
Best admitted in grand final week that it was a dream of his to play with his brother in the NRL.
The strike centre has also seen off some dark years at Newcastle, including a wooden-spoon season in 2025, but is now in a premiership window in red and blue.
“Definitely, walking away would be hard,” he said.
“I’ve been through the struggles for a long time, and to see where we’ve come now and what we were able to achieve (this year), it’s special.
“I know the club’s heading in the right direction.”