BY DAN

The Canberra Raiders have launched a charm offensive to keep Hudson Young at the club.

Though on contract through next season, Young hits the free agent market later this year, and the Raiders have started the discussions to keep him at the club over the long term.

That makes perfect sense. Hudson has been one of their most important players for years now, and has been playing at a representative level for many seasons now. His defensive workrate is unquestionable. He has the most one-on-one tackles of any second rower in the competition. He can make someone miss to make a break and also just to earn a quick ruck (his 4 tackle busts a game are fourth amongst backrowers).

And his eye for what is possible in attack is brilliantly obtuse, idiosyncratic but also perfectly in-sync with how the Raiders play their best football. It’s not a surprise he has the most try assists of any backrower. To mangle your favourite rom-com, he’s not just perfect, but he’s even more perfecter for us.

Coach Stuart isn’t exactly playing his cards close to his chest.

We all love Hudson here. He’s a Raider. His future’s here and he’s such an integral part of the team. “He had a lot of adversity as a young player that the club stuck by him with...I’m sure he’ll be a one-club player and he’s got every capability in the world to be a captain of the club one day – Stick to the Canberra Times

The organisational wing is also being upfront about what is driving the discussions. Don Furner told the Times that “we don’t want him to come off contract. We want him to finish his career here if he could”. Essentially – let’s not let the Bears’ desperation or the Chiefs seemingly very deep pockets ruin a perfect relationship.

Huddo for his part is receptive and clear that he doesn’t want to leave. The money, the years, and the details he’s leaving in the hands of his agent, but It’s clear from his perspective the preference is that he stays in Canberra.

The risk here is getting a deal done before 1 November. Not because I think Huddo will leave, but because I think both the Bears and the Chiefs will blow Canberra out of the water with what they’ll be willing to spend. That won’t necessarily leverage him from god’s country, but it might increase the cost of keeping him to astronomical proportions. I doubt the Raiders would baulk at meeting it, but I do think that could have real ramifications for keeping other players.

So get it done by 1 November right? That’s clearly the plan. There’s only one problem. Huddo’s manager, as reported by the Times is Sam Ayoub. You might remember Sam from “I’m on holidays so we won’t sign an extension for Morgan” and “Has Ata Mariota signed a new deal or not?” Given both players are the best part of six to eight months from ‘almost signed a deal’ and still don’t have a contract, it makes a man a little worried.

The reporting was that the club is already talking to Ayoub. And that’s pleasing. Maybe the Mariota and Smithies very long engagements have taught them that they need some urgency to get the bride to the altar. Because Rick is right. Hudson Young is an integral part of this side. He does have a huge future at the club and he could be a captain.

Let’s hope he is a one-club man.

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