The Newcastle Knights have been hit with a mammoth blow ahead of their Friday night clash with the Eels after Bradman Best was ruled out with what appears to be a severe hamstring injury. Best would have been looking to remind NSW coach Laurie Daley of his potential with the incumbent Blues centre looking likely to miss out on Origin selection thanks to Latrell Mitchell’s return to form.
Unfortunately for NSW and the Knights, Best will likely miss ‘a couple of months’ after injuring his hamstring in training only hours before the Eels clash. The Knights have lost six of their last seven games and were looking to turn around their fortunes against the Eels this weekend.
But they will have to do it without their gun centre with the 23-year-old set for a long time on the sideline according to reporter Barry Toohey. Coach Adam O’Brien will be forced to reshuffle the side with Dylan Lucas set to shift into the centres, while Thomas Cant will move from the bench into the second row.
Best has struggled with his hamstrings in recent years with his latest setback marking the sixth injury of this type since the start of 2024. The Knights will be scrambling to fill in the holes in what is looming as a must-win game for the side at home.
Bradman Best blow follows Greg Marzhew update
Best’s injury comes at the worse possible time for the Knights with winger Greg Marzhew also set to spend some time on the sideline. Marzhew left the game last week clutching at his knee, following a tackle.
The winger didn’t return and underwent surgery on his knee in a further blow for the side. And while Marhzew appeared to want to come back sooner, O’Brien tried to temper expectations.
“He’s had some surgery on an MCL,” coach Adam O’Brien said. “I think it was initially 4-6 (weeks), but he’s a very good healer. “He’s very optimistic and he’s told me ‘I’ll be right for next week’, but I don’t think that’s the case. “It’s not an extended thing, so he’ll be back before you know it.”
Zac Lomax to return for the Eels in time for Origin
While the Knights are reeling from injuries, the Eels are welcoming back Zac Lomax. The winger hasn’t played since round fivee having injured his foot against the Dragons earlier this season. While he will line-up this weekend on the right side for Parramatta, NSW coach Daley has to decide if he wants to risk both Penrith winger Brian To’o and Lomax at Suncorp for Game 1 with little game time under their belts.
Lomax will be looking to put on a big performance against Newcastle to remind Daley of just how good he was in the series last year. A win for Parramatta against the Knights will take them equal on points with their rivals. A win for the Knights will keep them in touch with the top eight heading into the Origin schedule.
