![Bradman Best has re-signed with the Knights for three more years. Picture by Simone De Peak Bradman Best has re-signed with the Knights for three more years. Picture by Simone De Peak](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/max.mckinney/1ef42858-ed64-4ac0-90c6-a37f9953cba8.jpg/r0_0_5820_3699_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Money might come and go, but memories can stay with you forever.
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And for Bradman Best, the thought of winning a premiership with the Newcastle Knights, the club he joined at 13 years of age, was too tantalising to let go of at this point in his career.
The star centre, after his new three-year, $2 million-plus deal was announced on Tuesday, said while money was a key factor in any contract negotiation, he couldn't walk away with the team so well placed to build on last year's finals run.
"Yeah for sure. That's one of the big reasons why I stayed," Best said when asked if he felt he could win a title at the Knights.
"I want to do something special with this club and I want to be a big part of it.
"There's definitely more to it than just money.
"Money comes and goes, but memories that you cherish forever stay with you.
"What we did last year was pretty special and I didn't want to leave when I can feel something is brewing here.
"All the boys are training hard and ... I can't wait to build on that."
![Bradman Best, centre, has re-signed with the Newcastle Knights. Picture by Simone De Peak Bradman Best, centre, has re-signed with the Newcastle Knights. Picture by Simone De Peak](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/max.mckinney/a40e5da8-aa08-4872-ae69-1c2faf370ec0.jpg/r0_0_3308_2183_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Best, 22, attracted big-money interest from Wests Tigers and admitted he did weigh up his options despite always expressing a desire to stay in Newcastle.
But his love for the Knights, his teammates and the town, proved too strong and he extended until the end of 2027.
"You want to know what you're worth. I went out there and my manager did his job. I guess it's part of it, you speak to clubs ... but deep down this club means a lot to me and it was my preference to stay here and I'm glad I got that done," he said.
"It was a long process. I did think about it. There was plenty of pros and cons, but at the end of the day - you're not going to change what not's broken.
I love the club, I love the boys and I want to be a big part of the club's success in the next coming years.
- BRADMAN BEST
Best, who has made 70 NRL appearances since debuting as an 18 year old in 2019, will be 26 by the end of his new contract.
He has a younger brother, Baxter, who at 15 is rising through the junior ranks and was recently courted by a host of clubs before signing with the Brisbane Broncos.
A Woy Woy Roosters junior, Best grew up on the Central Coast but his parents and Baxter relocated to Queensland last year.
His brother's place in the game is likely to be a consideration the next time he has to negotiate a contract, as Best would love to one day play alongside Baxter.
"It's a goal of mine," the centre said. "My little brother is a pretty good player. I'm sure we'll see him soon.
"But it's definitely a goal to link up with him.
"Whether that's in the coming future or not, I guess we'll have to wait."
![Bradman Best. Picture by Jonathan Carroll Bradman Best. Picture by Jonathan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/max.mckinney/031746cc-b51b-402d-9112-b0476a099afa.jpg/r0_0_3455_2234_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Best made his State of Origin debut for NSW last year, and had a standout NRL campaign which included 14 tries and 16 try-assists, but he isn't content with those achievements.
He hopes to build on last year's efforts and is eyeing further representative honours.
"Having a big year, first and foremost," Best said of his goals for 2024.
"I can't wait to go out there and play some of my best footy, and not being content with last year - going bigger and better.
"Playing consistent footy and when the representative honours come, that's obviously a goal as well.
"But it's to be top four and win a comp here."
One rep game Best won't be playing in is Friday's All Stars fixture. He withdrew due to a minor quad strain, but hopes to feature for the Indigenous side in the future.
"It would have been such a special week to go out there and represent, and be proud of who I am and our culture, but I had a little quad strain about two weeks ago," he said.
"The club and myself thought it would was the best decision to pull out and get myself right, and get ready for Fiji next week."
Newcastle play the first trial against Cronulla in Gosford on Saturday, followed by a clash with Melbourne in Fiji the following week.