The St George Illawarra playing group has come out in support of Dean Young getting the top job, with several stars suggesting he has “done enough to prove he should lead the club into the future” and should be appointed permanently.
Among those backing the 42-year-old to lead the Red V is Valentine Holmes, who said Young has been “a big part” of attracting players. “He’s straight up and honest. A lot see that with the way he talks in the media and want to be coached by him.”
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“Getting the likes of Connor Watson for a year and also Keaon [Koloamatangi] and Drinky [Scott Drinkwater] and [Luke] Metcalf — it’s pretty exciting to see what we can build. Especially with the Couchys [Ryan and Toby Couchman], Hamish [Stewart], and Loko [Pasifiki-Tonga]… and myself. It’s exciting times,” Holmes continued.
Other players, including Clint Gutherson, have privately spoken to club bigwigs about Young staying on beyond his interim capacity that runs this season.
It’s all very reminiscent of the Manly Sea Eagles saga from this season, without the rip-tearing “Fozball” fuelled win-streak that made it impossible for the club on the Northern Beaches to appoint anyone but Kieran Foran to the vacant role.
Maybe the only blocker will be some of the St George Illawarra board. After Shane Flanagan was sacked, Young was the best choice to step in — but some board members fought against having him take up even a temporary role.
That set-up was a fairly embarrassing moment for the club when chairman Andrew Lancaster and CEO Tim Watsford fronted the media to speak about Flanno’s sacking, and couldn’t offer up a replacement right away. Young was formalised later that day, but the damage had already been done, and the Dragons looked even worse.
Whether that feeling still remains in the boardroom is not quite clear, but it’s unlikely that the holdouts will have changed their view on Young in the last few weeks.
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Still, other players have similarly spoken out in support, including off-contract Tyrell Sloan. The speedster is set to leave the club at the end of the 2026 season and will hit free agency, but has declared he wants to stay and play under Young.
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“I love Youngy as a coach and as a human being as well,” Sloan said of the Red V interim boss. “He’s backed me a number of times, and I love the way he coaches. He’s honest with his feedback, and everything he does is to 100%.
“Young has just been saying be ready, and I’m happy to do that and fill in when needed. If that’s what it takes to win games, I’ll do anything that’s needed.”
He also added, “I love this club. I’ll do anything to wear the Red V.”
