LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Newcastle Knights have been hit with a devastating blow ahead of their elimination final clash with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Star centre Bradman Best, known for his lightning speed and slick footwork, will be sidelined due to yet another hamstring injury, adding to the string of setbacks he has faced this season.
Reports from Zero Tackle and The Sydney Morning Herald suggest that Best may have aggravated his hamstring during the crucial Round 27 showdown against the Dolphins, a match that secured the Knights' spot in the finals.
It remains unclear whether the injury occurred during the game or in training leading up to the final.
Despite Best's valiant efforts to recover and make himself available for selection, Knights officials have made the tough call to rule him out for the trip to Townsville.
The journey to face the Cowboys is no easy feat, with over three hours of travel each way, testing the Knights' physical and mental resilience on a short turnaround.
Having only played 17 games this season due to recurring hamstring issues, Best's absence will leave a gaping hole in the Knights' backline.
His absence will undoubtedly be felt by his teammates, who will need to rally together and dig deep to overcome this significant setback as they strive for victory in the finals.