Canberra will table the richest deal in the club’s history to back-rower – and PNG chiefs target – Hudson Young.
Sources with knowledge of the situation who are not authorised to speak publicly on Thursday confirmed the Raiders have increased their offer to $3.3 million over three years in the hope Young recommits before he hits the open market on November 1.
Young’s manager, Sam Ayoub, is due in the nation’s capital in the next 24 hours, and club officials are optimistic they can broker a deal.
Jack Wighton was offered $4 million over four years before he took less money to join South Sydney, but the offer to Young is the richest per season in the club’s history.
The same sources confirmed the club has been in regular contact with Young this week as he recovers from a season-ending Achilles injury.
The Raiders can agree to a flat fee or a contract with ratchet clauses, which would mean Young’s salary would rise in line with the NRL salary cap. The cap is expected to increase by about 15 per cent when the new $5.3 billion broadcast deal comes into effect from 2028.
Young has been identified as a potential target for the PNG Chiefs, who have signed a host of representative stars, but are yet to land a back-rower.
According to sources, the Raiders are prepared to let Young visit Port Moresby and the 19th NRL franchise’s compound so he can make an informed decision about his next move. Under NRL rules, Young is not allowed talk to the Chiefs before November, unless he is given permission to do so by the Raiders.
Ideally, the Raiders do not want to be waiting until then for an answer, which could cost them other players they want to retain.
Canberra are proud of the fact Young – who has played all of his 155 NRL games for the Raiders – has gone on to represent NSW and Australia and, at 28, they know he is entering his prime years as a player. They have also held brief conversations about helping Young set himself up after football.
Young and Nathan Cleary were the standouts for the Blues during this year’s Origin series win, and are the early favourites to claim the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW’s best.
The Raiders play their final home game of the season on Friday against the Broncos in what will double as a farewell for favourite son and the club’s most-capped player Josh Papalii.
Papalii retires while another Queensland Origin representative, Corey Horsburgh, will leave to link with the incoming Perth Bears.
