Blues enforcer Hudson Young credits business venture and partner for career-best form

Canberra’s Hudson Young has brushed aside many setbacks in the past 12 months, including become a Blues outcast and his infamous Las Vegas hotel eviction. FATIMA KDOUH talks to the enforcer about turning it all around.

Hudson Young was evicted from the NSW series-winning side last year then from Canberra’s team hotel in Las Vegas.

Now he’s ready to inflict far more pain on Queensland than what an inflatable baseball bat ever could.

Only three months ago, an “embarrassed” Young was in Las Vegas before a media pack apologising for being evicted from the Raiders team hotel.

Hotel security had mistaken an inflatable baseball bat for the real thing during an elevator scuffle with Morgan Smithies, sparked by not wanting to share a bed with his teammate after he was left without a room following a check-in malfunction.

Rather than the off-field saga derail the trajectory of his career, Young has emerged as arguably the form backrower of the competition earning him a re-call into the Origin arena.

The tough backrower was axed from the NSW side by Michael Maguire after game one last year, having suffered a similar fate in 2023 when he was dropped for the dead rubber game.

So when he runs out onto Suncorp Stadium for the series opener on Wednesday night, he does so with unfinished business and a point to prove.

Hudson Young’s career-best form has earned him an Origin re-call. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“It was disappointing because as a player this is where you want to be,” Young said when asked about his Blues axing.

“But Cameron Murray came back from injury (in last year’s series) so I’m a realist as well.

“I was sitting on the lounge watching and cheering for them. But to be back here now, it’s everything you dream of.

“It has lit a fire inside me.

“You’ve got to put your ego aside and do what’s best for the team.

“I know what I bring as a player and I can’t wait to get out there.”

Young has been Canberra’s most consistent player this year, enjoying a purple patch of form that has him sharing the mantle alongside the likes of Liam Martin and Angus Crichton as the game’s elite backrowers.

“I have matured a lot,” Young said.

“I’m just trying to be the best leader I can be at Canberra, I feel like I’m a better all around player and I’m really confident in what I bring to the Blues and I can’t wait to display that for the state.”

The 26-year old credits the stability of his life off the field, and relationship with partner Kelsea, for helping him find that maturity.

Ten years ago, Young was hit with a 18-month ban by ASADA after unwittingly ingesting a banned substance through a store-bought workout supplement.

Canberra's Hudson Young launched a supplements business last September.

In September, he launched his own range supplements, inspired by helping to ensure other emerging NRL stars and athletes don’t make the same mistake.

But the business venture isn’t only giving him a sense of purpose off the field.

Young joked that his supplements were the driving force behind his career-best form.

“I’m just taking Young Supplements,” he laughed.

“I wouldn’t put my form down to one thing. My training standards and the way that I am living life off the field at the moment is really consistent.

“I think that just translates onto the field when you have a good balance of work (and life).

“I have a really healthy relationship as well.

“I’m really enjoying footy at the moment and everything is going well.”

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has not shied away from lashing Blues selectors over Young’s treatment in recent years.

Young has been one of the Raiders’ best so far this season. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“It fuels you with confidence to have someone of Sticky’s calibre backing you,” Young said.

“When you have a coach like that, you go out there and play for him.”

When Young dons the Blues jumper on Wednesday night, he’ll be playing for another Canberra great in Laurie Daley.

Daley and Stuart won three premiership together during their playing days in Canberra.

“The Raiders are really good at connecting the past with the players that are there now,” Young said.

“Every time we run out, (we know) a past player has been in that jumper.

“It fills you with belief and confidence knowing someone like (Daley) has picked me in his team.

“I just want to repay that faith.”

Originally published as Blues enforcer Hudson Young credits business venture and partner for career-best form