Only rugby league could produce such a script. English Test winger Dom Young played his last game for the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, helping them grind out a 12-8 win against his old and soon-to-be new club Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Ending weeks of speculation suggesting such a scenario, Young will be formally released by the Roosters on Monday, will then officially rejoin the Knights, then on Tuesday will likely be named in the Newcastle team to play the Dolphins in Perth next Saturday.
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The towering 23-year-old scored a Newcastle single-season record 25 tries in 2023, and his speed, athleticism and touchdown acrobatics made him a crowd favourite.
“It was a bit of a weird one going into the game with all the circumstances and stuff like that, but it was good to get the win, finish on kind of a high, and I guess the future’s going to be exciting,” Young told reporters after the game.
After playing 51 games for the Knights from 2021 to 2023, Young is midway through the second season of a four-year contract with the Roosters, but he has been unable to lock down a regular position in their back line this year.
Without five State of Origin players, including Queensland centre Robert Toia, Roosters coach Trent Robinson recalled Young for a swansong on his old stomping ground.
“Look, obviously it was a bit weird. ‘Robbo’ spoke to me and said he wanted me to play this week, and with all the speculation, [asked] how I felt about it,” Young said.
“I said obviously every time I put the Roosters jersey on, I’m going to give it my all. That’s what I’ve done ever since I joined here, and it was important for me to put my best foot forward, regardless of everything going on outside.
“I thought I did that, and we got the win, so I’m happy.”
Dominic Young ran for 151 metres and made seven tackle breaks, and Robinson was pleased with his attitude and performance in his final appearance for the club.
“I think it will get cleared up tomorrow, and I don’t know if it’s for me [to say], but it’s pretty clear that he’s going to be up here from Monday,” Robinson said.
Tip-toeing around the line of questions as skilfully as he navigates the sideline, Young said he felt mixed emotions about leaving the Roosters to rejoin the Knights.
“I’ve got a lot of good memories from my time at Newcastle,” he said. “I’m close with a lot of the boys, and have good relationships and everything like that, so if I was to come back, it’s a pretty easy fit for me to come back.”
Though details of his new deal at the Knights are yet to be announced, Young indicated returning to Newcastle and playing under coach Adam O’Brien was a better option for his career goals than remaining at the Roosters.
Young will compete with James Schiller for the right wing position outside Dane Gagai, and could be back in Newcastle colours as early as next Saturday in Perth.
“I think the thing for me is I need to be playing every week,” Young said.
“That’s what I prioritise … It’s a big year for me this year, I’ve got a lot of goals I want to achieve, and the main way for me to do that is to be on the field.
“If I get the opportunity to do that in Newcastle, it suits me a bit more.
“I think with the play style, and the players I played with in Newcastle, maybe that suits me a little bit more as well, so yeah, I’m looking forward to that … I had a good relationship with ‘Adzy’ before, and I think they’ve got a lot of quality players in their side.”
O’Brien was reluctant to comment about Young’s imminent return until it was confirmed but would “absolutely” welcome him back to Newcastle.
“I didn’t want him to go in the first place,” O’Brien said.
Gagai, who captained the Knights in the absence of Kalyn Ponga (Origin duty) and Tyson Frizell (concussion protocol), is excited at the prospect of a reunion with his right-edge wing man but was also reticent to discuss it.
“I’m going to be cliched but I don’t look that far ahead. I’m just worried about trying to get into the top eight,” Gagai said.
“If he comes here, like Adzy said, we’ll welcome him with open arms, but we just need to get back to winning footy games.”
Young said he had never completely severed ties with former Knights teammates and fans, and had never forgotten the roar of a full house at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“It’s definitely something that’s stuck with me … but I’ve always appreciated the love and the support from the fans since I’ve got here,” Young said.
“It’s always been something that’s stuck with me, even in my time at the Roosters, I still hear from a lot of Knights fans.
“It’s always been a special place, it’s always the first place, my first team in the NRL
, so it’s always going to have that place in my heart.”
