The Canberra Raiders have received a huge boost on the eve of the 2021 NRL season, with rising star Hudson Young re-signing with the club long term.
The 22-year-old was contracted until the end of this season and has now signed a three-year extension that will keep him in Canberra until the end of 2024.
After an impressive 2020 season, Young has been chosen as the man to replace John Bateman in the second-row. He has been named to line up on the right edge for the Raiders round one clash the Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium on Sunday 14 March.
He starred in that role in the Raiders trial against the Sydney Roosters, scoring a try, playing solid defence and looking dangerous with the ball in hands.
Young is set to have a big future at the Green Machine and Raiders CEO Don Furner said he looks forward to seeing him develop as a player.
“Hudson has proven over the last season that he is a player who has matured and has become a big part of the squad,” Furner said.
“We look forward to him continuing his development and establishing himself in the team moving forward.”
Young endured a turbulent debut season at the Raiders in 2019, making 12 NRL appearances but was suspended twice for eye gouging.
However, in 2020, Young announced himself as one of the best young forwards in the game, playing a vital role for the Raiders as they made their way to a preliminary final.
He clearly impressed many at the club, with Bateman and Raiders assistant coach Michael Ennis even touting him as a future NSW Blues player.
The evolvement of Hudson Young, I’ve got a huge rap on him,” Ennis said on Fox League.
“I think come Origin we will see Hudson Young play for NSW, he is destined to play representative football.”
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