Newcastle Knights’ star centre Bradman Best opens up about his Indigenous background

A recent death in the family led NRL star Bradman Best on a journey of discovery that found the missing puzzle piece to his life – he isIndigenous. And related to some Indigenous rugby league greats.

NRL star Bradman Best. Picture Liam Driver

A recent death in the family led NRL star Bradman Best on a journey of discovery that found the missing puzzle piece to his life – he isIndigenous.

The Newcastle Knights centre had no idea of his background and said the discovery gave him “goosebumps”.

It has also given him a sense of belonging as he prepares for an Indigenous Round against the Cronulla Sharks today.

“I’ve always had a connection with all the brothers,” Best exclusively told The Saturday Telegraph.

“We always had a feeling that we might’ve had Aboriginal heritage but we didn’t know where to start.”

Owen Cragie (left) with Best at the Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence. Picture Liam Driver

Bradman Best is a barnstorming centre for the Newcastle Knights. Picture: Mark Kolbe

The 21-year-old’s research led to himself and his uncle Brent heading to the Kirinari Hostel in Newcastle.

Kirinari means “place of learning” in the Yandruwandha language and that’s exactly what Best wanted – to understand “who my mob was and who my people are”.

Bradman Best's great grandmother Mary Anne Blacklock.

Lehetta Lane-Porter with Bradman Best after he was surprised with Indigenous-designed boots for Saturday's game against the Cronulla Sharks.

With the help of hostel manager Lehetta Lane-Porter, he began a trip into his family background.

Best’s great-grandmother from Tingha was found to be a part of the “stolen generation”.

Through an online database, Lane-Porter tracked Best’s family background to the Blacklock family, with former St George-Illawarra star winger Nathan Blacklock one of many relatives.

And the footballing pedigree of the family doesn’t stop there.

Bradman Best at the Kirinari Hostel.

Lane-Porter connected Best with 1997 Newcastle NRL Grand Final winner Owen Craigie. Craigie said he plans to take Best back to Tingha.

“I’ll show him around … it’s where Preston Campbell, Nathan Blacklock, Bevan French, Albert Kelly and Greg Inglis are from,” Craigie said.

“And my grandfather, their grandparents … are all brothers and sisters, so it intertwines throughout Tingha through (Best’s) great grandmother.”

Craigie said the revelation was a “gift”.

Bradman Best in action. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Bradman Best connecting to his roots.

“It’s an honour for me to help him embrace his culture and heritage,” he said.

“I was friends with Bradman’s uncle (Brent) for many years and we’ve always had a special connection.”

Craigie said while there’s plenty of players who put their hand up for the Indigenous All Stars or play in the Koori Knockout without truly knowing “who they are”, Best is “genuinely” wanting to find his connection to his culture, “the right way”.

“What Bradman and his family are doing, they’re doing everything respectfully, they’re not just saying: ‘Oh, we’re Aboriginal’ and ticking a box. I’ve seen proof, evidence, photos, storylines, history from even my pop,” he said.

“He’s 88 and one of the last elders in our community … I sent a photo of Bradman’s great grandmother … and for him to recognise her, it validates everything Bradman and his family are trying to do.”

“I can’t wait to go out and learn more about my culture and reconnect with my family. It will open up so much more to myself that I didn’t know,” Best said.