‘Won’t play for anyone else’: Why it’s only PNG or Canberra for Young

Canberra star Hudson Young has no interest in playing for any club other than the Raiders or Chiefs, and admits PNG’s early signing spree has made the NRL’s 19th franchise a more appealing option.

The Raiders have tabled Young, who is off contract at the end of the year, a three-season, $3.3 million extension offer. The Green Machine has also granted Young’s request to negotiate with the Chiefs before he officially becomes a free agent on November 1.

The Chiefs have recruited strongly before even getting to their first free-agency period, with Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Joey Manu, Alex Johnston, Zac Lomax and Connor Watson all committing to the franchise. Young admitted the strength of the roster to date has made PNG a more attractive proposition.

“Yeah, it does,” Young said. “Obviously, you want to win, and you’d hate to go to a team in a different country when you don’t know what’s what, and if you’re not winning, then it’s going to make it harder. So obviously it is an attraction seeing players like that go there.”

The NSW and Australian forward is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury, which will delay his plans to tour Port Moresby.

While Young has previously visited PNG, as a member of the Prime Ministers’ XIII in 2023, his next tour will determine whether the lifestyle is for him.

“My mindset is pretty open,” Young said at the Brad Fittler medal presentation on Monday night.

“It’s one of those things, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I just want to make sure that I’m comfortable with the decision I make, and that’s the reason why I’m going over there, just to suss it all out.

“That way, I know if I’ve made that decision on the back of how I feel, then I’m comfortable with that …

“It’s one of those things, I just want to see it for myself first. There’s been a lot of media around it and certain players going over there and saying certain things, so I just want to go over there and make the decision myself on what I feel.”

All NRL players who have toured the Chiefs facilities have since signed with the franchise.

Young said he was grateful to the Raiders for giving him the opportunity to negotiate with PNG, a move that will Canberra more time to find a suitable replacement, if necessary.

“I have no interest in playing for another NRL club, and [coach] Ricky [Stuart] and I have spoken about that,” Young said.

“It’s more just the opportunity, with the PNG thing, and he’s been open and I’ve been transparent with him on how I feel and what I want to do. We’ll just suss it all out first and then go from there.”