Simply the Best: Bradman ready to repeat history in Origin decider
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"He gets the ball to Bradman. Bradman Best breaks away. Bradman Best with the try."
It's a piece of commentary few NSW fans will forget as Bradman Best scored the match-winning try in the epic 2024 State of Origin decider.
An instant Origin classic
The iconic moment was punctuated by Best's celebratory roar, blood dripping from a cut to his lip in front of 52,000 shellshocked Queensland fans at Suncorp Stadium.
In the process, the brash centre from Newcastle turned 19 years of history on its head, helping the Blues win their first decider at Suncorp Stadium since 2005, when another Knights star, Andrew Johns, was pulling the strings.
"Not many centres can do that," NSW captain Isaah Yeo said. "The way he bobbled the ball and was still able to fend [the defender]. It was a huge moment in NSW history to go up there and win a decider and he was a big part of that."
The man himself has never forgotten the iconic moment, not that Blues fans would ever allow him to.
"People bring that moment up a lot," Best said. "It's pretty cool to look back on but I've got another job to do on Wednesday night. It will mean nothing if I don't go out there and get a result.
"That win gives us plenty of confidence and belief. This is a new team but we know it's been done before, the boys did it two years ago ... hopefully we can go out and do something special."
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 1 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Fast forward two years and Best is back in a NSW jumper and ready to repeat history.
After missing the opening two games of this year's series due to a calf injury, the centre has been named in a new-look Blues side for next Wednesday's decider.
Best has developed into a Game Three specialist, the 24-year-old making his maiden NSW appearance in the final game of the 2023 series.
Two of the best for Bradman on debut
The centre instantly looked at home, scoring a double in an impressive debut as the Blues prevailed 24-10 to avoid a whitewash.
He had to wait until the final game of the 2024 series to get another chance in the Origin arena and grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
The iconic match-winning try was the punctuation mark on a dominant performance that saw him run for 156 metres with a line break and six tackle busts.
Best is chasing his third win from three Origin appearances next Wednesday night, with Yeo confident the centre will deliver on the big stage.
"He's somebody who's been unlucky with injuries more than anything else," Yeo said. "He's got some footy under his belt now and you know he's not going to be overawed by the occasion.
"Any time he's put on a Blues jersey he's excelled and I'm looking forward to seeing him back out there again."
Best's return is one of six changes for the Blues leading into next week's decider, with fellow centre Stephen Crichton returning from a shoulder injury.
Proven performer Liam Martin is back in the starting side, while Haumole Olakau'atu and Blayke Brailey have been added to the bench after missing Game Two.
Blues squad set for Origin decider
Jack Bostock will make his Origin debut on the wing and will line up outside Best on the left edge.
Few gave the Blues a chance two years ago and it's a similar story this week with most experts tipping the Maroons to claim a second-straight series.
It's a position NSW are embracing, the side relishing the chance to silence a raucous Queensland crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
"It'll be rocking," Yeo said. "There's not many better away games to play at NRL level because it's always rocking and it's just amplified in the [Origin] arena. It will be a wonderful atmosphere so we can't wait to go out there.
"It's everything you want in Origin, going to a decider up there. I've had some good nights up there, I've had some not so good nights there and oddly that's what Origin's about. It's the ultimate rollercoaster and I'd much prefer to be higher than low."
Don't miss a minute of the action when Queensland and NSW collide in an epic State of Origin decider. Live on Channel 9, 9Now and Watch NRL, Wednesday July 8.
