Hudson Young has grown increasingly fed up with the Canberra Raiders over the last few weeks, after his club told the NRL they see his value as far above what the PNG Chiefs have been offering.
Canberra was given the opportunity to slap a price tag on Young, despite him being off contract in 2028, and decided he should command at least $1.1 million on the open market.
- DON’T MISS OUR NRL TIPS – Click here to download our app on iPhone
- WIN CASH IN OUR NRL COMPS – Click here to download our app on Android
- CHECK OUT OUR NRL MATCH CENTRE: View stats, odds, betting insights, team lists, tips here
That’s $200,000 over what the Chiefs had tabled for Young recently — they want to pay him $900K each season — which means the NRL marshals then had to step in to stop the expansion club from getting a bargain in free agency.
It’s this block that has the 28-year-old annoyed at his team, and it may have also made his decision for him: Young had been tossing up whether to take the $900,000 offer (tax-free) from PNG or stay loyal to his club at $1.1 million. Things playing out behind the scenes now suggest he doesn’t want to stay.
In fact, he’s so frustrated that he’s going to the players’ union about the dispute, according to reports from Brent Read this week. The RLPA is now preparing a discussion package to take to the NRL about the situation.
Should the NRL not fold, the Chiefs may walk away from the deal if they have to pay Young seven figures. That would send him into free agency for 2028 and beyond.
As noted, the Raiders would be out of that race after their actions in the matter recently.
Are you reading on our app? Download now for the best Sporting Base experience.
