Bradman feels back to best ahead of season

Pictures by Jonathan Carroll

KNIGHTS centre Bradman Best has declared himself "100 per cent" fit ahead of the 2021 season as the Emerging Blues member continues to eye off representative selection.

Coming off an injury-plagued 12 months, which included three foot surgeries, Best feels ready to tackle the upcoming campaign and reckons higher honours could be within reach if he produces consistent performances for Newcastle.

"I'm back full training now after the operation. I spent a bit of time in rehab there, but it's good to say I'm 100 per cent and training with the team," Best said.

"I've got a few [goals]. One of them is staying healthy and injury free.

"Then just playing consistent footy, get my job done week in and week out.

"Obviously the big goals are at the end of the year with the rep footy stuff, but that comes later."

Best has remained on the radar of NSW coach Brad Fittler for some time, having first teamed up in the state junior ranks and then touted as a potential Origin bolter last year.

His chances of a call up were cruelled after being sidelined from August until the last round, having scored seven tries in the space of nine games when NRL competition resumed from the coronavirus break.

"Focus here on the Knights first," said Best, who attended an Emerging Blues training camp in Sydney on the weekend.

"I want to play some good footy here and whatever happens happens. If I play good consistent footy I guess that will take care of itself."

Best said he's been working "behind the scenes" to "try and get my body right the best I can" to avoid ending up in the casualty ward again.

The 19-year-old said he was also keen to link back up with winger Edrick Lee on Newcastle's left edge.

"That's definitely something I want to build on ... get that combination with Eddy going," he said.

Meanwhile, as reported in the Newcastle Herald last week, the Knights confirmed on Thursday that Cessnock's Brayden Musgrove has returned to the NRL by signing a two-year contract.

"This is a great reward for Brayden, he has trained really hard [over the summer] and earned this opportunity," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said via a club statement.

"He is a powerful carrier of the football and a finisher who finds the try line. It is also great to have a player progress from the local league back into the Knights."

Musgrove, who was originally with the Sea Eagles for 2020 before coming home, scored a try and set up another in helping the Goannas defeat Souths in last season's Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

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