Can Bradman Best be a Blues saviour one more time?

Two matches isn't much time to develop a reputation as a State of Origin saviour but Bradman Best has managed it.

The Newcastle centre scored a double on debut for New South Wales in Game III of the 2023 series, helping the Blues to a dead rubber win that saved them from the shame of a 3-0 whitewash.

In the following series Best's try in the 64th minute of the decider at Lang Park that gave New South Wales the lead en route to one of the greatest wins in the state's history.

The sight of Best fending off Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga, two teammates of his at the Knights, before roaring with triumph down the barrel of the camera with half his mouth hanging off his face after a badly split lip is the indelible image of that victory.

It marked the third time in Origin history that New South Wales won a decider at Queensland's blood temple, a feat they'll have to match if they're to raise the shield on Wednesday night.

Injuries and selection decisions have kept Best out of Origin since that night but now, with the Blues in sore need of some heroes after an embarrassing loss in Melbourne, he'll return for this decider with a view to saving his state once again.

The Lang Park try means Best's Origin reputation is larger than life — it's the sort of play fans stop him on the street to ask about.

"People do bring it up and it's pretty cool. Looking back now it is cool, but I have another job to do Wednesday night and it'll mean nothing if we don't get a result," Best said.

"There's plenty of confidence and belief. It has been done before. Hopefully we can do something special again.

"I just give my best. I just want to do my job for the team and not let anyone down."

Best has it in him to be a wrecking machine from both close range and distance — he's fresh off scoring the winning try in the Knights 12-6 win over the Tigers, a scorching 105-metre effort that he engineered from his own in-goal before finishing at the other end.

History aside, his direct and powerful attacking style shapes as a good inclusion for a New South Wales team that has seemed seriously outgunned and way too sideways for much of the series.

The 24-year old is also eager to make up for lost time after missing out on all three games of the 2025 series. After becoming an Origin hero it's hard to go back to watching just like everyone else.

"I'm on edge [when I watch Origin], I ride the rollercoaster through the TV, up and down," Best said.

"Being back in these colours, with the calibre of people, representing my family, myself and the state — I'm always grateful to be in these positions."

That family is once again united on the Origin front after being a house divided in the past.

In a strange twist of fate, a week before Best's iconic try in 2024 his younger brother, Baxter, represented Queensland Under 15s Schoolboys.

A product of Ipswich State High, Best the younger will relocate to Newcastle at year's end after signing with the Knights — but not after some choice words from big brother reminding him where his interstate loyalties would lie.

"It's so special, he'll finish school in Queensland and do his thing then come down in November. The goal and the dream is to play NRL with him," Bradman said.

"He's had a choice [about Origin], he was umming and ahing but I got into him.

"He was born in New South and he's made the right choice and picked his eligibility for New South Wales."

Even accounting for familial bonds, it shouldn't come as a surprise. When an Origin saviour tells you what's what, you listen.