Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Bradman Best, when his footballing commitments allow, will begin attending acting lessons.
The NSW centre, called into the team for the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, has scored a role in the upcoming biopic movie FENECH – The Jeff Fenech Story.
Best has been cast as former Australian boxing world champion Jeff “The Hitman” Harding, a sparring partner for Fenech in the flick directed by award-winning local filmmaker Matt Norman.
For Best, the unexpected part is a family affair – he is engaged to Fenech’s daughter Kayla, with the “Marrickville Mauler” set to become his father-in-law.
“It’s pretty exciting. This is all new to me, a bit of acting,” Best said. “We had a dinner catch-up with the director maybe two months ago. He informed me that I need to start acting lessons, so we will see how that goes. Filming will probably start in my off-season. My part isn’t too hectic; I’m just the sparring partner. So whether I’m getting my head punched or I’m punching, I don’t know. It will be cool.”
When Kayla started going out with Best, Fenech was apoplectic. The boxing hall-of-famer didn’t want his daughter going out with a footballer, but the Newcastle Knights star quickly won him over.
“My daughter is the happiest person in the world and that’s all that matters,” Fenech said. “We are so happy.”
Playing a boxer won’t be a stretch for Best. The 24-year-old has done plenty of pad work with Fenech, who is convinced he would have no trouble beating giant footballer-turned-boxer Nelson Asofa-Solomona if they squared off in the ring.
“He would beat Nelson tomorrow,” Fenech said. “He is a natural athlete.”
Such a bout isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Best has shown aptitude with the gloves and is considering a boxing debut one day.
“Definitely, I have a lot of respect for boxers,” Best said. “Now Jeff is the father-in-law, so it’s pretty cool. I think hopefully one day down the track, I will step in there.”
Asked if he wanted to call out anyone from the Queensland team as his first opponent, Best chuckled: “Nah, no one.”
When he runs onto Suncorp Stadium in Wednesday night’s decider, it will be Best’s third appearance in the sky blue jersey. However, he would have been a Maroon if his father had his way. The majority of the Best family still lives in Ipswich and dad Roger wanted his boy to represent Queensland, despite him being born in Manly.
“When I was growing up watching Origin, it was when they were winning eight in a row,” Best said.
“Dad was definitely trying to brainwash me, but I came to my senses and knew what Origin was about. I remember when you’re about to sign your contract, you have to do your eligibility. I had to choose between Queensland or NSW, and I chose NSW. It was an easy option.”
Even Best’s christian name has a Blues tie-in. Most people think he’s named after legendary cricketer Don Bradman, but NSW team performance manager Frank Ponissi provided the inspiration.
“My Nan and Pop used to own a hair salon in Manly back in the day,” Best explained.
“My mum and dad didn’t have a name for me at the time. The story was that Frank Ponissi was in the salon chatting away with my Pa – they are still good friends – when Frank said ‘We’ve got a good name [for a child], but we’re not having a boy.’
“My Pa asked what the name was, and he said Bradman. Pa got a hold of it, rang my mum, and mum and dad loved it. That’s how I got named.”
And there could soon be another member of the family making their name at the Knights. Best’s 17-year-old brother Baxter, also an outside back, is about to join him at the NRL club. The younger Best is overcoming a shoulder reconstruction, but the siblings are hoping to play first grade together.
“He’s taller than me,” Best said. “He’s got all the skill and ability. Hopefully he can pull it all together and make a name for himself. “That’s one of the goals, one of the dreams, to play with my little brother. Hopefully it happens.”
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