State of Origin: Bradman Best fails to train with group as NSW Blues reveal makeshift left edge

Newcastle’s Bradman Best was forced to look on from the sidelines as the NSW Blues went through their paces as Matt Burton remains on standby for Origin III. WATCH THE FOOTAGE

NSW centre Bradman Best joined hundreds of adoring Blues fans as an onlooker at Wednesday’s training session in the Blue Mountains, as coach Michael Maguire ramped up preparation ahead of next week’s decider.

Locals flocked to Blue Mountains Grammar School to get a glimpse of their rugby league heroes, braving cold winter temperatures to watch NSW train at an open session.

Even the community’s real life heroes of first responders, including firies and police officers, joined the hordes of families decked out in sky blue.

Best was restricted to very light duties on Wednesday morning as the Knights star manages tightness in his right hamstring.

Best kept a close eye on proceedings, as the rest of the squad was put through its paces and ran through drills.

Matt Burton, who was named as 18th man, trained at centre with a left edge of Jarome Luai, Angus Crichton and Brian To’o, as Best watched on from the side.

NSW medical staff put Best’s heavily strapped hamstring to the test at the start of Wednesday’s training session, as the rest of the group warmed up before a drills session.

Best was sent for scans on Monday to assess the extent of the hamstring complaint but it’s expected the Knights star will take the field in the decider next week.

His training load is expected to increase during the week.

Backrower Liam Martin is confident Best will overcome the hamstring complaint in time for the decider.

Like Best, Martin was on restricted duties during game two preparations as he battled through a painful turf toe injury.

“I reckon he’ll be fine. I was in that sort of boat in the first two games,” Martin said.

“With the physios and staff we have here, they give around the clock treatment.

The NSW physio keeps an eye on Bradman Best during a fitness session prior to training. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“When he first got in, he even said ‘it was just precautionary, I’m feeling pretty good’.

“I’m sure he’ll be doing everything possible to make sure his body is right, and be back in towards the end of the week.”

NSW vice-captain Isaah Yeo is confident the experience of former Penrith teammate Matt Burton at centre, where he won a title with the Panthers in 2021, will see him comfortably replace Best if the 22-year old is eventually ruled out.

“He’s done it before in the centres, he has the ability to play in the halves,” Yeo said.

“He’s a wonderful player and we are lucky we have so much depth for NSW that he’s our 18th man.

“I’m sure Bradman will be fine but you have someone waiting in the wings that has been there and done that before at a really high level.”