Bradman Best might still be only a kid at 17 but according to his NSW Under-18s coach and True Blue Mark O’Meley, he’s already good enough to be playing in the NRL.
“I reckon he would have played NRL by now if he was 18,” O’Meley told NSWRL.com.au recently.
“I think he’ll get a taste next year.
“He’s ready to go that kid, it’s just his age and rules and restrictions at the moment.”
Best is contracted to the Newcastle Knights until the end of 202 and is so highly thought of that he has already been invited to train with the first grade squad. A centre with size and strength beyond his years, Best has already managed to post one Origin moment to his highlight reel after scoring a memorable try to secure victory for the under-16s in the 2017 series.
With the game all but over, Albert Hopoate retrieved a failed field goal attempt in his own in-goal area before evading the defence and setting sail up field. When the defence converged, he passed outside to Best who had done a tremendous job to run across in support and finish off the move.
It might be some time before Best is sighted in the NRL or the Origin arena for the senior team but he’s definitely a name worth remembering.
