Decision made on Dom Young’s immediate future

Dom Young was the breakout star for England at the World Cup and with his Newcastle Knights contract set to expire at the end of the 2023 season he had been one of the top targets in the NRL.

The winger had wanted to confirm his future before the start of the 2023 campaign, which begins in early March, something that had been confirmed by his agent, and has now come true with news that he’s signed with another club for 2024.

Trent Robinson, coach of the Sydney Roosters, had reportedly wined and dined Young last week but was one of a number of coaches to have done so with the former England man.

However it appears that Robinson’s meeting had the desired effect with the Daily Telegraph reporting that Young will sign with the Roosters for 2024 and beyond.

It’s believed that he had received huge offers ranging upwards of $500,000 a season, but ultimately it’s the Roosters who he has signed for.

He’ll join England teammate, Victor Radley, providing that the loose forward also extends his stay in Sydney given he is also out of contract for 2024 and beyond at present.

Losing Young is a huge blow for Newcastle Knights and potentially even a blow for the two young English stars who are set to join them in 2024, Will Pryce and Kai Pearce-Paul will no longer have a familiar English face to nurture their early NRL days.

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins were one of the sides who have missed out on Young, the former England boss another one of the reported NRL coaches who met with the former Huddersfield Giants star.

News Corp are reporting that Gold Coast were another side keen on Young but ultimately it was the Roosters who have secured him.

According to Fox League, he will be paid a huge $500,000 per season. Huge money for the young man.

Crucially, this was one of the key parts of the deal Robinson sealed for Young as was a potential move to the centres, the role Young played during his youth.

However, the big update then came from the Daily Telegraph who reported that the Roosters were trying to sign Young immediately.

They reported that the Roosters are offering the Knights a forward in a potential swap.

Roosters CEO Joe Kelly has been coy on about the deal.

“I won’t go into that one I think there’s plenty been said already publicly, I’ll leave that one until an appropriate time,” Kelly said on SEN.

However, the Roosters weren’t the only club interested in his services immediately with the Penrith Panthers also keen.

They wouldn’t be usurping the Roosters’ long term deal but were keen on taking him on for 2023 as a replacement for the injured Taylan May after the tackle from St Helens’ Agnatius Paasi.

Speaking of injuries, the long term injury to Krystian Mapapalangi at Newcastle has ensured that Young isn’t going anywhere according to Director of Rugby Peter Parr.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Parr told The Daily Telegraph.

“We can’t afford to let Dominic go under these circumstances.

“Krystian Mapapalangi injury is really unfortunate and we can’t leave ourselves short for outside backs.

“The Roosters will have to wait for next season.

“Our job is to win footy games with the best available roster.”