Best-case scenario: Bradman hopes to parlay form into Blues jersey

Knights centre Bradman Best is focused on performing for Newcastle but hopeful strong club form can put him in the frame for an Origin debut.

The barnstorming 19-year-old was recently announced in Origin coach Brad Fittler's emerging Blues squad, having previously been coached by Fittler at NSW under-16s level.

"I've always got rep footy, not on my mind, but when you sit down and set goals, that's the pinnacle of footy and it's definitely a goal I want to achieve," Best told NRL.com.

"I had a bit to do with Brad Fittler growing up. He coached us in the 16s there and coming through the grades.

"Origin is definitely a goal and definitely something I want to achieve. I'll keep working hard and we'll see what happens."

A strong start to the year will have Best, along with the likes of Zac Lomax and Campbell Graham, in the frame after non-specialist centre pairing Jack Wighton and Clint Gutherson put in mixed performances in the shock 2020 series loss.

"My main goal is I want to play good consistent footy here at Newcastle and hopefully that leads me to a sky blue jersey but we'll have to wait and see," Best added.

Putting himself in the Origin frame is just one of the goals the 19-year-old set for himself at the start of 2021.

"At the start of the year I always set goals, small ones first then bigger ones," Best said.

"Things like playing a full year, playing 20-plus games then bigger ones like making Origin. On and off the field too.

"It's always good to set goals then at the end of the year or monthly I'll go back and check on them and see how I'm travelling."

Any ambitions of playing a full season in 2020 were scuppered by a syndesmosis injury ruling him out from rounds 13 to 19.

"Injuries are a part of the game. Last year it felt like I was playing well for a bit then another injury would set me back," he said.

"That's all right, that's footy, injuries are part of the game. The body feels good now, I'm in full training. I was in the speed stuff, they took the load out of that but full training and I can't wait."

After a breakout year in the 11 games he was able to put together, Best said while happy with his form at times there is still plenty to work on – particularly off the ball.

"Definitely looking back I thought there were some good games but always room for improvement," he said.

"I did the video with the coaches, there were areas I was good and definitely areas I can improve and that's what I'm looking to do this year.

"With the ball, without the ball. Defence is a big part of my game. I think I can be a bit better in defence. Definitely find a voice too in attack."