NRL market watch: Bradman Best contract news; Knights star to reject Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers offered to make him one of the highest-paid centres in the league, but Bradman Best is poised to stay loyal to the Knights. Check out NRL market watch.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Connor Tracey of the Sharks catches a bomb during the round 26 NRL match. between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on August 27, 2023 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Bradman Best is poised to reject interest from the Wests Tigers and ink a $2 million-plus extension with the Knights in his mission to break Newcastle’s 23-year premiership drought.

Breaking his silence on his future, the off-contract Best outlined his desire to sign a new deal with Newcastle amid speculation Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has launched a poaching bid for the NSW Origin star.

The embattled Tigers have cash to spend and rookie coach Marshall is prepared to make Best one of the highest-paid centres in the league on a deal worth around $800,000 a season.

But in a huge coup for the Knights, Best said his preference is to remain in the Steel City, with the 22-year-old keen to finalise a new deal before the start of the 2024 premiership.

It is understood the Knights have discussed a three-year upgrade, worth an estimated $700,000 annually, to keep the Blues ace until the end of 2027.

“I want to stay here,” Best said as the Knights ramp-up their pre-season after returning a fortnight ago.

Bradman Best is set to ink a $2 million extension with Newcastle. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

“The Tigers have shown some interest, they are keen, but I have to weigh everything up.

“If it all works out as we plan, I’ll be staying at the Knights.

“We’ll see what happens but I’m really settled here.

“I love the club and I love the culture we have built.

“The boys here are all so connected and we are a close bunch, so to walk away from that would be really hard.

“The lifestyle here (in Newcastle) is second-to-none.

“We’re in talks now and my manager is sorting things out.”

The hulking 103kg centre had the best season of his career in 2023, scoring 13 tries from 25 games for a Knights side which charged to the second week of the playoffs on the back of a 10-match winning streak.

The personal highlight came in July, when Best made his State of Origin debut for the Blues, scoring a double in a dream maiden outing to spearhead NSW’s 24-10 defeat of the Maroons in the Game Three dead rubber.

The chance to be coached by Benji Marshall was not enough to lure Best to the west. Picture: Getty Images

That performance made Best hot property and while he could maximise his earnings on the open market, the Central Coast product sees no reason to quit the Knights if the price is right.

Not since 2001 have the Knights hoisted the NRL trophy and Best wants to be part of a title breakthrough under coach Adam O’Brien and skipper Kalyn Ponga.

“I want to sort this contract stuff out, I don’t want it hanging around too long,” he said.

“I’m not in too much of a rush, but I also don’t want it drag on all season.

“It (a Knights deal) shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

“I want to play good consistent footy for the club and hopefully win a comp for the Knights, that would be pretty special.

“What we did last year was unreal. We started the year badly and we knew that, but we knew we had a special side and with how close we are, we realised how good we could be.

“To win 10 games in a row and get a home semi-final, this community was pumping and it was just an unreal buzz.

“I’m fortunate enough to have clubs who want me. There are some guys where no club wants them and they have to get back to the real world or look to Super League or give the game away.

“Rugby league is a cut throat sport at this level, but I’m in a good position to secure my job and live out my dream.”

While star Blues centres Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic will be looking to reclaim their NSW jumpers next season, Best wants to prove he is not a one-hit Origin wonder.

“I have to start the season well, but the goal is to play Origin again next year and stay in that arena,” he said.

“I was really disappointed with myself the previous season and really angry with the way I played.

“I just had a good look in the mirror and said to myself, ‘Am I going to live up to what everyone thinks of me, or just do the same and end up a nobody’.

“I made sure I trained hard, I did everything right on and off the field and I got that reward with a State of Origin debut.

“To play Origin was a dream come true. That’s where I’m at, that’s the level I want to be and I want to keep building from here.”

TIGER RE-SIGN PREMIERSHIP WINNER

Wests Tigers have re-signed premiership-winner Charlie Staines.

The Tigers tied down Staines - teammate of Jarome Luai in their 2022 premiership success at Penrith - to a contract extension after finally freeing up some room in their top 30.

The Tigers were able to register a two-year-deal for the premiership winner after shedding Triston Reilly from their top squad.

The Tigers also officially welcomed five young players who have joined the club on train and trial contracts.

Josh Finau, Declan Casey, Reuben Porter, Samuel Loizou, and Nick Lui-Toso have this week commenced pre-season training with the NRL squad.

BULLDOGS TO POUNCE ON SHARK

Canterbury have edged ahead of St George Illawarra in the race for Connor Tracey as they continue to strengthen their squad for coach Cameron Ciraldo.

Tracey has another year remaining on his deal at Cronulla but was given permission by the Sharks to explore his options on the open market.

The Dragons were the first side to show an interest but it is understood that the Bulldogs have now entered the race for the versatile outside back, who made his debut at South Sydney four years ago.

Tracey spent time at centre and wing this season for the Sharks before finding a home at fullback when Will Kennedy suffered an injury.

He was outstanding over the closing month of the season and his form piqued the interest of Cronulla’s rivals.

In-demand Cronulla outside back Connor Tracey. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Their hope is that they can convince the Sharks to let him leave 12 months ahead of schedule, although Cronulla are likely to want some form of compensation.

The Sharks have already released five-eighth Matt Moylan from the remaining year of his contract, to take up a deal in the English Super League.

The Bulldogs have been one of the most active sides in the player market in recent months, signing the likes of Steve Crichton, Blake Taaffe, Drew Hutchison, Bronson Xerri and Kurt Mann.

They have also given former club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner permission to explore his options on the open market, having initially told him to stay away from training.

It comes as the proposed deal between Canterbury and former Sydney Roosters prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho collapsed after a medical assessment revealed he had a foot injury which required surgery.

Originally published as NRL market watch: Bradman Best contract news; Knights star to reject Wests Tigers