NRL 2026: Raiders star Hudson Young opens up on failed drug test, reputation, Face to Face interview

Watch Jake Duke go Face to Face with Raiders and Australian test forward Hudson Young on Fox League at 7:30pm AEST on Tuesday!

Star Canberra forward Hudson Young says his charter in the nation’s capital won’t be complete until the Raiders have broken their 32-year NRL premiership drought.

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In a detailed tell-all with Fox League’s Jake Duke on Tuesday night, Young outlines his big ambitions for Canberra, as well as his personal mission to repay coach Ricky Stuart following a tumultuous period of lengthy suspensions and a drug ban earlier in his career.

So far this season, Canberra have been a long way from the form that took them to a minor premiership only last year, languishing to a 1-4 record.

However, Young remains adamant the Raiders can still climb to the loftiest heights of the NRL in 2026.

“It (2025) was obviously a really successful year for everyone involved, from players to the club. But we can’t be a victim to what happened in those last two games,” Young said of the Raiders bowing directly out of the finals in September.

“I’d love to think about the ‘what if’. I haven’t brought myself to that because I honestly feel that if we went through Brisbane we were going to win the comp. It’s exciting though, knowing that we could win the competition.

“On the back of winning the minor premiership last year, I feel like we’re in a great spot this year to win it all.”

Young was the centrepiece to Canberra’s scintillating run into last year’s NRL finals, averaging 148 metres per game, as well as 27.9 tackles across 22 appearances. The rich vein of form also saw him represent NSW and Australia.

Reflecting on his achievements, the Hunter Valley junior said he had matured significantly in his eight seasons at Canberra – and is convinced he’s “only just getting started”.

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In a refreshed roster which sees, among other changes, Ethan Sanders replace Jamal Fogarty as halfback, Young believes Canberra have the makings of a premiership side.

“I think if you look at Ethan Strange, Kaeo Weekes – they’re another 12 months down the track. They’ll come along,” he said.

“Tommy Starling had another great year last year. The kids that are coming in – Ethan Sanders and Coby Black – they’re two tremendous talents.

“I’m excited to work with them, and I think for us to take our game to the next level, we needed that change.”

Originally from the NSW Hunter Valley, Young came through the grades with the Greta Branxton Colts, before joining Newcastle’s system in SG Ball. He spent his younger years in the halves, a trait which has developed into strong ball playing characteristics as an NRL back rower.

A positive drug test in 2017 saw Young banished for the game for two years. A huge setback at the time, he credits the saga for turning him into the player he has become today.

“It was obviously a disappointing time but one that I wouldn’t change to be honest,” Young told Duke.

“It has created who I am today, being able to deal with adversity now that I’ve been through that. I was just a kid that loved playing footy that made a mistake.”

Young eventually got a shot at Canberra following his two-year drug hiatus, a period in which he wasn’t even allowed to play local touch footy under the terms of the ban.

He joined the Raiders on a $300-a-game match payment, with $700 in the bank account.

Upon reflection, Young admits he struggled to channel his aggression in his early years at Canberra – especially once he debuted in first grade in 2019.

The judiciary reports say as much, with Young missing much of his first NRL season through suspension, including a controversial eight-week charge which meant he missed the Raiders’ grand final loss to the Roosters.

Years later, Young credits coach Ricky Stuart with setting him straight – both on and off the field. The 27-year-old harbours ambitions of one day captaining his club, as well as becoming a staple 80-minute NSW Origin player.

“I did some work with Sticky on that (aggression), around focusing and staying present and just doing my job,” he said.

“Sticky does everything for a reason and the way he created me and moulded me into the player I am today, on and off the field. I have so much respect and time for him, as a coach and as a mate off the field.

“Obviously I play aggressive but it’s channelling that in the right manner, controlled aggression. Something I struggled with for a while was to understand what that actually looked like.

“There was a finals series ahead me that I missed out on. I missed out on a grand final. To see the emotion on the boys faces that lost that grand final, and you’re helpless because you’re suspended through dumb actions, left such a weird feeling inside me and it’s a feeling I don’t want to let go of. Because it drives me everyday to get back there and win a comp for this club.

“I feel like all these mistakes along the way have created the man who I am. I just want to keep learning and being a better bloke off the field, and a better player on it.

“I feel like the faith will be repaid when we win the comp.”

Watch Jake Duke go Face to Face with Raiders and Australian test forward Hudson Young on Fox League at 7:30pm AEST on Tuesday!