Canberra Raiders News

Thu, 3rd September, 2026, 14:27 AEST
How the Raiders blew up the Chiefs' $900k tax-free loophole in battle for Hudson
The Canberra Raiders strategically offered Hudson Young a $3.3 million contract to counter the PNG Chiefs' interest, satisfying both the player and the NRL.
The Canberra Times
Never mind a battle between the Canberra Raiders and the PNG Chiefs, this was a battle between David and a tax-free Goliath.
But, touch wood, the Raiders appear to have played it perfectly to sit in the box seat to re-sign future captain Hudson Young.
Their plan to go hard, go public and go early looks to have staved off the Chiefs' raid for Young.
It wasn't as simple as the Raiders making a massive offer to counter the fact PNG players won't pay any tax - the offer also needed to satisfy the NRL it was feasible as Young's market value.
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Thu, 3rd September, 2026, 12:18 AEST
PNG Chiefs push pause on pursuit of Raiders star
The PNG Chiefs will no longer pursue Hudson Young after he met with them regarding a potential deal.
Zero Tackle
Details have surfaced that the PNG Chiefs will no longer pursue Hudson Young after the Canberra Raiders gave him permission to meet with the expansion side.
The Origin star was first offered a three-year deal worth $1.1 million per season, which is the largest in Canberra's history.
Young wanted to pursue an opportunity to meet with the Chiefs after the 19th NRL team expressed interest in the back-rower.
Raiders CEO Don Furner gave Young permission to meet with the Chiefs and travel to explore PNG's facilities, scheduled for a later date this month as he is currently recovering from an Achilles injury.
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Thu, 3rd September, 2026, 9:10 AEST
PNG's Young pursuit on hold after salary-cap drama
PNG will pause pursuing Hudson Young due to insufficient offer compared to Raiders' deal.
Canberra Daily
PNG will hold off pursuing Hudson Young after they were told their proposed offer for the Canberra star would not meet market value.
Just two days after Young confirmed he was attracted to the prospect of joining the Chiefs' star-studded roster, the potential move has hit a serious sticking point.
It is understood the Chiefs were looking to offer Young about $900,000 a season, if the NSW State of Origin star joined the NRL's 19th franchise for 2028.
That figure is close to $200,000 shy of the monster three-year deal worth $1.1 million a season believed to have been pitched by the Raiders to keep the back-rower.
Young had planned to tour PNG in coming weeks once off crutches following his Achilles rupture, while...
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