With supportive words from Latrell Mitchell to be himself tucked away and a spring in his step after overcoming a hamstring complaint, Bradman Best is looking forward to taking his place in the decider.
Hamstring tightness kept him away from group training with the Blues for the early part of the Game Three camp, but he took part in the opposed session New South Wales set up with Mudgee Dragons with no issue, completing the full session.
“Hammy is all good," Best said after the Blues trained at Ballymore Stadium on Monday.
“It pulled up from Canberra a bit tight. Obviously, with the flight there and the travel and then cold down there, I guess just tightened up.
“I'm sort of I was lucky I had a hamstring (injury before); I've had a few injuries and a hamstring being one of them, so I sort of knew what I was dealing with and this one felt a lot better than when I actually did tear it, so I knew I was going to be alright.
Inside Camp: Bradman Best
"I did the full session on Saturday with the boys, so I got through that.”
Called in into the squad for his second appearance in a State of Origin jumper after an injury to centre Latrell Mitchell, Best said he was thankful for the words of encouragement given by the Blues powerhouse who set the tone for victory in Game Two.
“Trell messaged me obviously to say congrats and he just told me it's my time, so it was good to hear from Trell, I look up to him.
Maroons v Blues: Game 3
“He was giving me a bit of confidence and with him being out, he just said I'm next man up.
"I think that's what Trell brings (is presence); that's one of his strengths.
"I'm not Trell and I know I'm not going to fill his shoes, I've just got to go out there and do my job and do my role.
"I lucky enough to get the call Game Three last year, so I have just got to go out there and do it again.”
For this deciding match at Suncorp Stadium, Best was expecting a hostile reception not only from the crowd, but also from his opposite centre, Knights teammate Dane Gagai, who has been recalled to the starting side for Queensland.
“It's going to be a good battle, a good contest," Best said.
"Playing the same team, we've all trained against each other for a long time and we've been centre pairing from the Knights for a long time.
“It's going to be a good battle and I'm excited.
“I think we all know what Gags does in the Origin arena.
“He's one of the best centres in the game, so it's just going to be a good challenge."
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