Australia debutant Bradman Best hopes he can get an extension at Newcastle sorted as he declared that money would not be the driving factor in determining his next deal.
The Knights have tabled a lucrative extension beyond 2027 but Parramatta are preparing to blow that offer out of the water to secure the 25-year-old NSW star.
His Kangaroos teammates were jokingly calling Best by the nickname of “Cash” after training in Brisbane on Thursday ahead of the World Cup showdown with Fiji on Sunday.
“I think there's half the Aussie team here off contract, so all the boys are talking about it,” Best grinned.
“There's plenty of cash getting around apparently so we'll see what happens.”
Best said he would "go until November 1" before making a contract call and had put talks on hold while in Kangaroos camp.
He was a prime figure in leading the Knights to the grand final and ideally would like to stay.
“Obviously, I'm a Newcastle junior. I love it there and been there since a young kid but I'm a father now and I've got to do what's best for me,” Best said.
“Walking away would be hard. I've been through the struggles for a long time and to see where we've come to now and what we were able to achieve, it's special.
“I know the club's heading in the right direction and I know there's a few of us lads at Newcastle coming off contract. I know that the person who was handling the contracts … a few people were upset … but now he's gone. So hopefully we can get something done there.”
Best said his family’s security was paramount but he wanted to be at a club that could challenge for the title, putting the Knights right in the frame.
“Money's not the be-all and end-all but it goes a long way. I want to make sure I'm winning games,” he said.
“I’ve just come off a grand final loss and I want to chase that premiership.”
Best also has his sights on Fiji after realising a long-held dream.
“There's actually a photo going around at the moment when I was in Year Six,” he recalled.
“The teacher asked what we wanted to do and to write down our dream. For me it was to play rugby league for Australia. So ever since I was a little kid, I've dreamt of this. It’s pretty special.”
Best has proven himself to be a big game player at Suncorp Stadium, particularly in State of Origin where he has scored series-winning tries twice in deciders.
“I love playing at Suncorp," he said.
"It's a great stadium with plenty of history and I just like putting myself in those positions. I can't wait for Sunday night."
Best will aim to emulate his rugby league idol Greg Inglis and his father, Roger Best, who played for the London Broncos and Manly lower grades.
"My dad was my hero. He played rugby league and I guess I just wanted to be like him," Best said.
"He's shaped me into the man I am today."
