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‘Didn’t really want to leave’: Knights star opens up on failed Roosters stint and early exit
Knights winger Dom Young insists there’s no bad blood with the Roosters despite being released from his deal just 31 matches into a four-year deal.
The towering Englishman was a smash hit when he first joined the NRL with Newcastle, with Young lighting it up with 25 tries in 2023 before he made the move to Sydney. Get the expert take on NRL Grand Final Day with FOX LEAGUE’s extensive coverage, plus full and mini replays available post-game on Kayo Sports |WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
He was expected to be the Ferrari on the right wing who would finish off every half chance, and he didn’t disappoint with 20 tries in his first season. Dom Young had some nice moments at the Roosters, but the move didn’t work out. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesBut things just didn’t work in 2025 with Young spending time in reserve grade before he was granted permission to leave, leading to him rejoining the Knights.
“I didn’t really want to leave in the first place, to be honest with you, but certain things led me to that,” Young told the NewsWire. “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. ” He still scored six tries in nine games in that second season, with his move back to the Knights allowing Mark Nawaqanitawase to shift to the right wing where he has produced the impossible time and time again.
“I think I only played a few games in the second year, and we were winning games at the end of the day,” Young said. “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 move back north has worked out for all parties with Young scoring 23 tries this season, with his dreadlocks flowing in the wind when he speeds down the right edge looking happy to be back in his adopted home.
“It feels pretty good, it takes you back to being a kid when you’re just running sideways and around 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. ”He faces a massive test in Sunday’s grand final against former teammate Daniel Tupou who continues to deliver at 35.
“I feel like that’s why you want to play the games, against the best players against the best teams,” Young said. “I’ll just enjoy the challenge going against Tupou; he’s done it all in the game and he’s got a lot of experience. He was good for me as well when I was there, passed his knowledge onto me, and looked after me a little bit when I was there too.
“I’ll enjoy the challenge. It’s going to be a tough task but I’m pretty confident, and the fact that I’ve already had a few reps with him and know what his little nuances are in his game probably helps as well. ” The challenge won’t just be out wide, with Newcastle’s young pack keen to take it to their experienced rivals.
Cody Hopwood , Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua haven’t been afraid of anyone in the finals, with McEwen going after Panthers veteran Moses Leota last week.
“We believe in ourselves. It’s as simple as that. We believe in each other and we believe in ourselves, and sometimes that’s enough,” Hopwood said. That fearlessness inspires the rest of the squad who have starting forwards Trey Mooney, Jacob Saifiti and Phoenix Crossland unavailable, while $13m man Dylan Brown is also injured.
“They’ve done an unreal job for us this year, our young boys,” Dylan Lucas said, with the representative forward coming off the bench because the men on the edge are doing such a good job. “They’ve probably played a lot more footy than what they would have thought they had to at the start of the year just with injuries, and they’ve really stepped up.
“I know every club talks about having that next man up mentality, and I think we’re really showing that this year. “Cody through the finals series has been unbelievable. He’s really stepped up and taken his game to another level. I’m so happy for him because he worked so hard through the pre-season and he’s reaping the rewards now. ”
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