NRL 2025: Canberra Raiders star Hudson Young reflects on wild week in Las Vegas.

Hudson Young, in the moments after Canberra’s win against at Allegiant Stadium, is asked if he will celebrate with a few beers.

“I’ve gotta keep a lid on it,” Young grinned.

For Young, the biggest story during the NRL’s second foray into Vegas, this is the key to success. In the past, if he were involved in an incident like the one involving himself and Raiders teammate Morgan Smithies, he would have overcompensated on the field in a bid to atone.

“I didn’t want to fall into that mindset of proving people wrong because I knew that I didn’t do much to start with,” he said.

“I just wanted to go out there and play my game and I feel like if I came out with something to prove, I feel like that’s when things go wrong.

“I just kept the same mindset that I had the whole time and try to be myself. I think previously when I’ve got in trouble I’ll probably come and tried too hard.

“I feel like that’s where I have matured. Just keep level-headed, knowing my game and back my own ability.”

Young said he was thankful that coach Ricky Stuart allowed him to redeem himself on the field.

“The one thing with ‘Sticky’ (Stuart), if you tell the truth to him he’ll back you up,” he said.