Hudson Young eyes tax‑free PNG Chiefs offer yet hopes to stay with Raiders if coach agrees

Raiders forward Hudson Young said a tax‑free offer from the Papua New Guinea Chiefs could clear his mortgage and support his family, but he still wants to finish his final year with Canberra if coach Ricky Stuart keeps him. Young arrived in Sydney Friday after the Chiefs flew him to Port Moresby on Wednesday to inspect the country and confirm his comfort with any move. He is recovering from a season‑ending Achilles rupture that ended his Kangaroos World Cup campaign and halted a planned Port Moresby tour. The Chiefs initially discussed a $900,000‑a‑season contract, but the NRL confirmed his market value under the cap at $1 million, with tax‑free third‑party sponsorship adding extra appeal. The Raiders had pulled a $4.4 million four‑year offer last week, and Stuart told the Canberra Times he would consider an early release. Young, 28 and single, said the tax‑free money would let him become mortgage‑free in two or three years and help his family, while still valuing his development under “Sticky” Stuart. He denied any intention to leave the Raiders before his contract ends in 2027 and added he would only consider moving in 2028, provided Stuart approves. The Raiders offered the richest contract in club history and were ready to add a fifth year, but rejected Young’s request for ratchet clauses that could lift his salary toward $1.3 million as cap space rose. Young expects to resume pre‑season training in two weeks and be back running before Christmas. The Chiefs have already signed Joey Manu, Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Zac Lomax, Brian To’o, Connor Watson and Matty Lees.

Context

Tax‑free deals from the PNG Chiefs are attractive to NRL players because they bypass Australia’s salary‑cap restrictions, allowing higher take‑home pay while clubs can still stay within cap limits.