Canberra Raiders forward Hudson Young has broken his silence about his future, saying he is weighing a move to the PNG Chiefs while wanting to fulfil his final year at Canberra, provided coach Ricky Stuart has him.
Young toured Port Moresby this week and is considering becoming the eighth signing for the Chiefs, who have already signed several players. The newcomers initially discussed a $900,000-a-season offer for Young, but the NRL confirmed his market value under the salary cap would be $1 million, with tax-free third-party sponsors also sweetening any deal.
Young spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald after returning to Sydney, saying the Chiefs want a decision soon and that he needs to speak with his family. He said his trip was not against Canberra and that he was weighing where he wants to be in the next stage of his life and career.
“It is in the back of my mind I can do two or three years up there and come home and be mortgage free,” Young said. He noted that he has not come from money and wants to support his family. He also said he loves the Raiders and that Stuart has given him everything.
The Raiders had offered Young the richest contract in the club's history, a four-year deal worth $4.4 million, but pulled it last week. Club officials became frustrated when his management asked for ratchet clauses linked to future salary cap increases, which could have pushed his earnings towards $1.3 million a season. Stuart later told The Canberra Times he would entertain an early release for Young.
Young ruptured his Achilles in the second half of the season, which cost him his Kangaroos jersey at the World Cup. He is due back at pre-season training in the next fortnight and said he would be back running before Christmas.
The Chiefs have already signed Joey Manu, Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Zac Lomax, Brian To'o, Connor Watson and Matty Lees. Coach Willie Peters also confirmed that Sam Walker is a serious option as the team's halfback if he is genuine about a move north.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Young's decision could set a precedent for how the NRL's new team recruits established players.
- The financial packages, including tax-free dollars, may change how players negotiate contracts.
- Young's choice will impact the Raiders' roster and salary cap management for the next season.
Background
The PNG Chiefs are a new NRL team preparing to enter the league. They have been actively signing top talent, including Joey Manu, Jarome Luai, and others. The Raiders, an established club, offered Young the richest contract in their history, which was withdrawn due to contract disputes.
Key Perspectives
Hudson Young: Says he wants to fulfill his final year at Canberra but is tempted by the tax-free earnings and mortgage-free life the PNG deal offers.
Ricky Stuart / Canberra Raiders: Indicated he would entertain an early release for Young after the club withdrew its four-year, $4.4 million offer.
PNG Chiefs: Coach Willie Peters confirmed that Young is a serious target and also considering Sam Walker as halfback.
What to Watch
- Young's decision in the coming weeks as the Chiefs want a prompt answer.
- His recovery from an Achilles injury and return to pre-season training.
- The Raiders' back-row depth if Young leaves after 2027.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedYoung said the trip was “Nothing against Canberra”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““It’s nothing against Canberra as to why I’ve gone up there and had a look.””
- SupportedYoung said he could spend two or three years with the Chiefs, return home and be mortgage-free.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““But it is in the back of my mind I can do two or three years up there and come home and be mortgage free.””
- SupportedYoung had broken his silence about his future and was considering a move to the PNG Chiefs.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Young has stayed quiet about his future – until now.”
- SupportedYoung wants to fulfil his final year at Canberra if coach Ricky Stuart wants him.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Young said it had never entered his mind he would cut and run early from the Raiders in 2027. “If I do move on in 2028, I don’t want to play for another club in 2027,” he said. “But it comes down to Sticky, it’s his team, if he doesn’t see fit for me to play at the club, I’d have to make a decision around that as well.””
- SupportedThe Chiefs’ tax-free money could help Young clear his mortgage.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “PNG Chiefs’ tax-free dollars will help wipe his mortgage and look after his family financially”
- SupportedYoung toured Port Moresby this week.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Hudson Young toured Port Moresby this week.”
- SupportedThe Chiefs hope to make Young their eighth signing.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Chiefs flew Young to Port Moresby on Wednesday, and hope to nail down the representative forward, who is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury, as signing #008 .”
- SupportedThe initially discussed offer was $900,000 a season, and the NRL put Young’s salary-cap market value at $1 million.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The newcomers initially discussed a $900,000-a-season offer for Young, only for the NRL to confirm his market value under the salary cap would be $1 million.”
- SupportedYoung told the Sydney Morning Herald the Chiefs wanted a decision soon and he needed to speak with his family.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““PNG will want a decision soon, and I need to go back and speak to my family,” Young told this masthead.”
- SupportedThe Raiders pulled their four-year, $4.4 million offer last week.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Raiders sensationally pulled their $4.4m four-year offer last week”
- SupportedClub officials were frustrated by the request for ratchet clauses, which could have pushed Young’s earnings towards $1.3 million a year.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Club officials became frustrated when Young’s management asked for ratchet clauses to be included in any package to allow for the salary cap rising in future years, which could have seen the back-rower’s earning surge towards $1.3m a year”
- SupportedCoach Willie Peters confirmed Sam Walker was a serious option as the Chiefs’ halfback if Walker was genuine about moving north.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Chiefs coach Willie Peters confirmed out-of-favour Rooster Sam Walker was a serious option as the club’s inaugural halfback if Walker was genuine about a move north.”