Tim Gavel reckons it’s time we gave Hudson Young his flowers after his incredible start to the season. Photo: Jayzie Photography.
In 2025, Hudson Young introduced a new dimension to his game when he became a straight-line attacking forward.
In previous seasons, Young had a propensity to be too lateral and was, at times, an easy target for defenders.
This style ended up crowding the Raiders’ attack as he traversed across the field.
This season, he is hitting the line at pace and has become a weapon that has proven to be incredibly effective. He is one of the reasons why the Raiders have emerged as the surprise team of the 2025 season so far.
So-called experts must be wondering how they got it so wrong in predicting the Raiders for the wooden spoon.
Young, on current form, with two tries in each of the past three games and seven tries this season, averaging 135 metres a game in 2025, must be firmly in Laurie Daley’s plans for the Origin.
But he has been there before, three times for the Blues, only to be dropped.
So, what’s the difference this season?
Hudson Young celebrating at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas. Photo: Bronwyn Fagan.
Young appears to have returned from a stint with the Kangaroos late in 2024 as a different player through the first seven rounds.
Being in and around the top players and leaders in the game has obviously rubbed off, as he has added leadership to his arsenal this season.
That was evident enough most recently in the 30-20 victory over the Gold Coast as the Raiders fought their way back after trailing 16-0 in the first half.
It is not just his attack that is proving to be the difference. His defence is rated 92.4 per cent in terms of efficiency.
So, how does Hudson Young rate against the Raiders’ legendary second rowers of the premiership years?
David Furner, the 1994 Churchill Medallist, in my mind, remains the best second-rower to play for the Raiders, closely followed by backs who converted to forwards – Jason Croker and Ruben Wiki.
Furner played 200 games for the Raiders, while Wiki played 224 and Croker played 318. All three are regarded as legends of the club.
Sunday’s win over the Titans was Young’s 126th for the Raiders, so he still has some way to go in terms of longevity.
But in terms of impact, at the moment, he is right up there with the top three. And it’s essential to remember that comparisons are often most accurate in the post-career period.
Maintaining their current form over several seasons will be key to Young being mentioned alongside the top three.
