The Canberra Raiders have withdrawn their contract offer to Hudson Young, saying they have done all they can to keep the NSW State of Origin forward after negotiations dragged on since June.
The club confirmed the decision in a statement on Monday afternoon, after discussions with members of the Board and senior management.
“The offer that was made was the largest in club history. As a club, we believe we have done all we can to keep Hudson in Canberra,” the statement said.
“However, negotiations have been ongoing since June, and the club needed an answer before the end of October so they could plan for the future.
“Hudson remains contracted to the Raiders for the 2027 season, and we look forward to seeing him return for pre-season training.”
What was on the table
Fox Sports reported the Raiders had tabled a four-year deal worth $1.1 million a season, about $4.4 million in total, that would have kept Young in Canberra until the end of 2031.
The club said the offer was intended to keep Young at the Raiders for the rest of his career, “as an integral part of the club and a potential future leader”.
Read more: Hudson Young Twist as NRL Opens Market Value Challenges
PNG Chiefs in the box seat
The PNG Chiefs, who join the NRL in 2028, have been chasing the 28-year-old with a reported $900,000-a-season tax-free offer, according to Fox Sports. The network reported the Chiefs may now need to offer around $1 million a season, the figure the NRL’s salary cap auditor reportedly put on Young.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys told The Canberra Times, as reported by Fox Sports, that no submission to update Young’s market value had been lodged. “Anyone can come and put applications to us and we’re always flexible, but no, we haven’t received, not to my knowledge at this stage,” he said.
Young has played more than 150 games for the Raiders since his NRL debut in 2019, along with nine Origins for NSW and six Tests for Australia, per Fox Sports. With his deal running out at the end of 2027, Sporting News noted he hits free agency on Sunday 1 November.
He is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered against South Sydney in July, an injury the Raiders confirmed ended his 2026 season.
Read more: Sam Walker Set to Decide Roosters Future Before Cook Islands Test
Young had not commented publicly on the Raiders’ decision at the time of writing.
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