Young backs strong forward pack to lead Raiders in 2024

After missing last week’s trial victory over the Parramatta Eels, star backrower Hudson Young is looking forward to the opportunity to return to the field and lead from the front. 

Impressed with the performance from the younger Raiders side last week in Kogarah, Young has identified the experienced forward pack as the key to unlocking their young spine. 

“Having a young spine going into the year, hopefully they rely on us to guide them around the park. We will be taking ownership in that department and leading by going forward," Young said. 

The Raiders will field an almost full-strength lineup with Jamal Fogarty sitting the trial out, allowing Kaeo Weeks and Ethan Strange to partner in the halves once again.

Young was impressed with what he saw from the young pairing, with this weekend providing another opportunity to develop their combination.

“They're just really exciting and off the cuff. They are footy players and they don’t like too much structure. I feel like they controlled the game really well being young players,” Young said. 

There is also competition for positions in the outside backs with Hudson noting head coach Ricky Stuart's comments at the beginning of preseason that no position is guaranteed for round one. 

“[James] Schiller carved up last week so I’m keen to play with him. He has had a really good preseason, as has Xavier, probably his best one yet,” Young said.

“Stick made it clear that no spot was guaranteed at the start of the preseason, and it still feels like that especially after the weekend with how all the younger boys played."

This weekend’s trial against the North Queensland Cowboys at Seiffert Oval will provide Young with his first hit out of the 2024 season, with the main focus finding his rhythm.

“For me getting back out there, playing some footy, finding some rhythm before rolling into round one. So, just getting out there and hopefully getting my game on as quick as I can.” Young said.

In 2023, Young made his representative debut for New South Wales after playing game one and two in last year's series, with a return to the arena a clear objective for this season.

“100% it’s a goal of mine every year, hopefully get back playing some good footy and that will come off the back of team success and you never know,” Young said.