Former St George chairman doubles down on his controversial support for former Wigan Warriors halfback in court case

St George Illawarra Dragons were gripped by controversy recently.

That’s because Chairman Craig Young provided support for former Wigan Warriors and Melbourne Storm halfback Brett Finch during his court case after pleading guilty to one count of making child abuse material available via a carriage service.

The controversy stemmed from the fact Young used the club’s letterhead to write his reference which could have been taken to be the club’s support rather than just his own.

Following this, Young apologised in a club statement. Shortly after he stepped down from his role.

He would have departed anyway due to the fact that they were preparing a change in the role prior to this incident.

Now Young has spoken out about the incident. He claims he was not forced out of his role and that he would do what he did again for Finch who won a Challenge Cup Final with Wigan in 2011.

“I didn’t get forced out and I told you why,” Young said to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“But I don’t back away from my support [for Finch]. In fact, I’d do it all again tomorrow. You don’t desert your mates.

“That’s how I’ve lived my life and how I’ve brought up my kids. I have no problem with living like that.”

Finch is presently awaiting sentencing after his court case concluded recently. The halfback claims he was on the website FastMeet where the offence took place in a bid to ‘score drugs’ due to the fact he was dealing with addiction at the time during the pandemic.