Newcastle Knights winger Dominic Young has lifted the lid on his controversial exit from the Sydney Roosters a year and a half through a four-year deal.
Young was a high-profile transfer to the tri-colours after a scintillating 2023 season for the Knights.
Similar to 2026, Newcastle went on a massive run in the backend of the season which saw Young collect plenty of tries on the right edge for the Knights.
In 2023, the English international crossed 25 times during the year, but the club exited the finals in Week 2 after a 10-match win streak heading into the finals.
Young conceded there was hesitation to leave the Knights, but pushed through with a switch to Sydney.
Big expectations came on Young when he moved to the Roosters, but the 25-year-old flyer admits he learnt plenty from his short experience in Bondi.
“I didn't really want to leave (Newcastle) in the first place, to be honest with you, but certain things led me to that,” Young told the NewsWire.
“I guess you don't know what you have until it gets taken away.
“I still feel like I learnt a lot from going to the Roosters and seeing how a club like that operates, and you take a lot of experience from the players that you rub shoulders with in that environment.
“I don't have any regrets. I still got to a prelim there, still got good finals experience and was scoring tries and all these kind of things.
“I was excited to come back and I'm happy that I'm here now and I've committed long-term, but I don't have any bad blood or anything like that.”
Young had a solid 2024 campaign with the Roosters, playing 22 matches for 20 tries, with the club finishing third and reaching the preliminary finals.
The following year, Young found himself in-and-out of the NRL side, where he was granted permission to look elsewhere, leading to a reunion in the Hunter in 2025.
Roosters gun Mark Nawaqanitawase cemented his place on the right wing during 2025, with gun rookie Robert Toia also emerging for another spot in the backline.
“I think I only played a few games in the second year, and we were winning games at the end of the day,” Young added.
“For all different reasons, that second year didn't work out.
“But at the end of the day, I always knew what value I could bring and I was confident in my own ability. I guess the style of play we play here probably benefits me a bit more and gets the best out of me.”
The towering winger has returned to his brilliant best this year under Justin Holbrook and has emulated his freakish try-scoring ability from three seasons ago.
“It feels pretty good, it takes you back to being a kid when you're just running sideways and around (people) using your pace,” he said.
“That's just when I feel like I'm at my best, when I'm blending in my runs and getting it in all different looks.
“Dane Gagai has been massive for me, and I've been playing with him for a while now. He knows how to get the best out of me and how to put me away better than anyone.”
Young will now face his old club in the NRL Grand Final for some old-fashioned revenge.
He will mark former teammate and veteran winger Daniel Tupou in a stunning individual battle.
