Latest news with #DominicYoung


Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Departing Sydney Roosters star Brandon Smith drops a HUGE Daly Cherry-Evans revelation ahead of move to Souths
Brandon Smith has sensationally claimed Daly Cherry-Evans is already 'signed and delivered' to the Sydney Roosters, in a stunning revelation just days after learning he was no longer wanted at Bondi. Speaking on 2GB's Wide World of Sports Radio on Thursday, Smith said Roosters officials haven't confirmed the deal publicly, but behind the scenes, it's all but done. 'I think Cherry-Evans has already been signed and delivered for a while now – everyone's just too afraid to admit it,' he said. The revelation follows news that Smith and winger Dominic Young have both been told they're free to leave the club early. Smith is expected to join arch-rivals South Sydney, while Young is likely headed back to Newcastle. The Roosters are reportedly clearing salary cap space, with Smith openly suggesting his departure is to make room for Cherry-Evans. Asked if his contract money was going to the Maroons skipper, Smith replied, 'I'm thinking it might be.' He also questioned why the Roosters weren't investing in youth instead. 'I was hoping [the money] would go towards some of the younger players that are coming through,' he said. 'If they don't snap them up now, they probably won't be able to keep them.' Smith specifically named Naufahu Whyte and Blake Steep as players deserving of pay rises at season's end. The 28-year-old, currently recovering from a knee injury, admitted he'd already played his last game in the red, white, and blue. 'It's not that I feel unloved, I feel unwanted, which is not quite the same,' he told 2GB. He said the Roosters never properly explained why they wanted him out. 'They're just excited to get rid of me, and get some money saved up for maybe this year, maybe next year.' Smith described learning of his exit through the media as 'blindsiding.' 'I'm blindsided by the fact the news came out through the media before I found out about it,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Journos knew more than I did in this situation.' He added that he was 'a bit hungover' and 'very emotional' when he heard the news, having just attended a friend's wedding. 'I was in the car with my girlfriend. I didn't really know what was going on,' he said. 'The celebrations went on long enough to leave me very emotional when I heard the news.' Smith said Wayne Bennett was the first person to reach out after the news broke. 'I have no qualms with how the situation has panned out ... I get that it's a business,' he said. Bennett later told media he didn't think Smith would be at full fitness until 2025. But Smith disagreed, saying he was 'about eight weeks away' from being fully recovered. 'I can run at training, I can sidestep, I can do whatever you want,' he said. 'Now it's just making sure the patellar tendon is mature enough to handle a full 80-minute game.' The Roosters, meanwhile, have begun preparing for Cherry-Evans' arrival. Veteran playmaker Sam Walker is expected to shift to five-eighth, with DCE taking the No. 7 jersey. Walker welcomed the idea, saying, 'He's done it all in the game and we'd love to have him at the Roosters, that's for sure.' Coach Trent Robinson has insisted Sandon Smith still has a future at the club despite rumours his agent is shopping him to rivals. Sandon Smith starred in the Anzac Day clash against the Dragons, but may be pushed out if DCE arrives.

Sydney Morning Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Roosters tell Dominic Young he can leave immediately
English international Dominic Young could be on his way back to Newcastle after the Roosters granted him permission to immediately begin negotiating with rival clubs. Young is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027, but has likely played his last game for the club after falling back in the pecking order of outside backs. The 23-year-old is languishing in the NSW Cup, despite scoring 25 tries in 29 games for the tri-colours. Roosters coach Trent Robinson has preferred Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia and rugby recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase as his three-quarter options. By informing Young he is free to look around now, the winger has the chance to find a new club before the June 30 deadline window closes. Young's most likely destination is Newcastle, whom he left at the end of a 2023 season that garnered a club-record 23 tries. The Knights never wanted Young to leave and have always been open to the prospect of welcoming him back should he become available.

The Age
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Roosters tell Dominic Young he can leave immediately
English international Dominic Young could be on his way back to Newcastle after the Roosters granted him permission to immediately begin negotiating with rival clubs. Young is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027, but has likely played his last game for the club after falling back in the pecking order of outside backs. The 23-year-old is languishing in the NSW Cup, despite scoring 25 tries in 29 games for the tri-colours. Roosters coach Trent Robinson has preferred Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia and rugby recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase as his three-quarter options. By informing Young he is free to look around now, the winger has the chance to find a new club before the June 30 deadline window closes. Roosters winger Dom Young appears poised to leave Bondi Junction. Credit: Getty Young's most likely destination is Newcastle, whom he left at the end of a 2023 season that garnered a club-record 23 tries. The Knights never wanted Young to leave and have always been open to the prospect of welcoming him back should he become available. That opportunity has come earlier than expected and the Knights are likely to try to sign him immediately, although other clubs may also express interest. Michael Chammas and Andrew 'Joey' Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.