The 'lad' who is one of the Knights' Best

There's the strong, silent side to Bradman Best and then there's the picture skipper Mitchell Pearce paints of the 19-year-old tearaway centre.

"He's a bit of lad – wears Tommy Hilfiger with a man bag," Pearce told NRL.com .

"He can get the dance on too when he plays his house music. He plays his techno and we get the captain's run on in a good way."

But the side the Knights need against the Rabbitohs on Sunday is the one who has scored seven tries in just 10 games, and helped generate more points with four try assists and five line breaks.

He only has 13 NRL appearances to his name so the chance to play in his first NRL final makes him fairly euphoric.

"It will definitely be a special moment and I'm very keen to be a part of it all when I take the field," Best told NRL.com

"I'll do what I can this week to get the job done."

That includes sliding up to a few teammates who have been in the big arena before.

"I will go up to Aidan [Guerra], Klem [David Klemmer] and Pearcey to have a chat. Being young, I've never experienced something like this. I'll get some tips as I rub shoulders with them and get into their heads."

Best doesn't mind confessing to a few nerves.

"I usually listen to music and get in my zone to get over nerves. I run over all my preparation again to make me feel confident."

He put the same methodology to work after surgery was needed on his right ankle this year, forcing him out from rounds 12 to 20.

"I was a bit shattered there at the time because I thought my season was over," Best said.

"Once I got the plan and I knew what was to happen, I set goals with the medical staff here and I made sure I achieved them.

"Last week I was happy to get back playing. The ankle was all sweet, no problems there – the lungs were killing me."

Pearce doesn't mind "the lad" side of Best at all. But he's very much enjoying the quietly purring beast within.

"He's got a really resilient, focused personality. He's a genuinely tough player with a real steely mindset," Pearce said.

"You can tell he wants to be the best. He's got the natural talent to do it. He's already a pretty impressive player – a staunch sort of character.

"You wouldn't want to mess with him on the field. He's got a big future."

Best has already felt the attention, firstly with his unusual and famous first name, and secondly because of his emerging prowess.

"I'm prepared for all of it. I know what to do – listen to the people that help and guide me and do whatever I can on my own to be my best.

"I've learnt to clear my mind and not swell on any mistakes I make too much."

He also knows he follows a long line of Knights centres who have represented state or country as well as win premierships in Adam MacDougall, Matt Gidley, Timana Tahu, Owen Craigie and Mark Hughes.

"A hundred per cent I know about those guys. I've gone into the history here and there's been some very talented centres in the Knights outside backs over the years.

"I know I've got big shoes to fill but I'm prepared for that. I don't want to let anyone down.

"Growing up I was more a lock forward because of my size. Then I switched to the backs in Harold Matthews [Cup] and started to hit my stride."