GREAT NEWS: Fans are celebrating at GIO Stadium Canberra as the Raiders management makes a U-turn on its previous decision, officially securing Hudson Young with a huge four-year, $4.4 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in Canberra Raiders history.

GREEN MACHINE SECURES YOUNG: Hudson Young Inks Historic $4.4M Deal After Raiders U-Turn

CANBERRA — Jubilant scenes erupted outside GIO Stadium as the Canberra Raiders management executed a dramatic U-turn, officially locking down star back-rower Hudson Young on a landmark four-year, $4.4 million contract extension. The mega-deal ensures Young’s long-term future in the nation’s capital and officially makes him the highest-paid player in Canberra Raiders history.

The announcement completes a roller-coaster negotiation period that had Green Machine supporters on edge. Only days prior, club headquarters had reportedly withdrawn its initial long-term offer, citing the need for definitive roster certainty beyond 2027. With rival suitors, including the inaugural PNG Chiefs franchise, lurking with high-value offers, fears were mounting that the State of Origin forward might walk.

However, following emergency talks between Raiders executive leadership, head coaching staff, and Young’s management, the club reversed its stance and tabled an upgraded $1.1 million-per-year package that proved impossible to turn down.

A Historic Milestone for Canberra

Averaging $1.1 million per season, the contract surpasses previous club records, cementing Young as the cornerstone of Canberra’s forward pack for the remainder of the decade. Since making his NRL debut for the Raiders in 2019, the aggressive edge forward has amassed over 150 appearances, developing into one of the competition’s most dangerous goal-line threats and earning international representation with Australia alongside his nine Origin caps for New South Wales.

Raiders CEO Don Furner praised Young’s commitment to the club, noting that keeping elite homegrown leadership in Canberra was essential for their premiership ambitions.

> “Hudson represents the heart and soul of how we play our football,” Furner said. “Negotiations of this scale take time, but our goal was always to keep Hudson in a Raiders jersey. Securing a player of his calibre long-term demonstrates our ambition to consistently challenge for titles.”

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Relief and Joy at Bruce

News of the agreement spread rapidly across Canberra, drawing dozens of die-hard supporters to GIO Stadium to celebrate the blockbuster signature. Fans clad in lime green hoisted banners, sang club anthems, and chanted Young’s name as confirmation hit the public domain.

| Player Contract Overview | Details |

|—|—|

| Player | Hudson Young |

| Position | Second-Row / Lock |

| Term | 4-Year Extension |

| Total Value | $4,400,000 AUD |

| Average Annual Value | $1,100,000 AUD |

| Milestone | Highest-Paid Player in Raiders History |

Speaking to reporters outside the stadium gates following the announcement, an emotional Young expressed his relief and enthusiasm to stay grounded in the ACT.

“Canberra is home to me,” Young said. “The last few weeks were stressful, but my heart has always been with the Raiders. To sign an extension of this magnitude and know I’ll be leading this group for the next four years is a privilege. I want to bring a premiership back to this city.”

Securing the Future

By sealing Young’s signature, the Raiders avoid a potentially damaging bidding war on the open market and stabilize their core roster leadership. With key young talents re-signed alongside their strike back-rower, Canberra turns its full attention toward pre-season preparations and building a squad capable of deep finals runs over the coming seasons.

For the faithful at GIO Stadium, the management’s late reversal is already being hailed as one of the best decisions in recent club history.