Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner is confident Hudson Young will remain in the nation's capital despite the 28-year-old assessing his opportunities for the future.
Young's current Raiders deal expires at the end of 2027, meaning he is free to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1 this year, but he was given special permission to explore his contract options with the PNG Chiefs early.
There is a current tug-of-war occurring between the two clubs, with the Raiders tabling a reported $1.1 million a year extension over three years to remain in Canberra, while the Chiefs offered $900,000.
Given the Chiefs' dollars are tax-free, it has come under the microscope at the NRL, with the head honchos deeming it not market value for Young, halting their offer for the time being.
Although Furner is "quietly confident" Young and the Raiders will reach an agreement to keep the NSW representative, who is touted as a future captain, in lime green.
“Obviously, he wanted to explore his options, and we'd rather him get it over and done within the next couple of weeks rather than go to the 1st of November,” Furner told SEN's Kick Off.
“So, for him to make the right decision hopefully and stay with us, I think he wanted to feel comfortable that he had checked everything else out. Not knowing that, he might have regretted that decision.
“He certainly wanted to see what it would have been like over there and hopefully make an informed decision, but we're hoping that he stays.
“We've got to sit down with him now because he was up in Townsville with the team, so we'll speak to him this week.
“But there's no use fighting that; let them explore it and go from there.”
With Young establishing himself in recent seasons as one of the NRL's best forwards, Furner understands it's critical to get a deal done for an extension, with the Raiders boss revealing it's only a two-horse race.
“Look, we're quietly confident, but you never know,” he said.
“I mean, Papua New Guinea could increase their offer. I don't think he'll go anywhere else.
“He's told us that it'll be either us or there, so I guess that gives us a 50-50 chance.”
Young ruptured his Achilles in July, bringing a premature close to his season and wiping him out of Australian Kangaroos duties for the upcoming World Cup.
In his 14 appearances this season, Young notched up five tries, four line breaks and averaged 131 metres per game with Steeden in hand.
The NSWRL crowned him the True Blue Award winner for his outstanding State of Origin campaign in sky blue for 2026.
Young was instrumental in a famous series win, scoring two tries, averaging 117 metres and playing every minute in each of the three games, leaving an impact as the side won 2-1 following a decider in Brisbane.
