Try-scoring record is Young’s parting gift for Knights

Jasper Bruce | September 4, 2023

Sydney Roosters-bound winger Dom Young hopes he has left a legacy in Newcastle by breaking the individual record for most tries in any season of the club’s 36-year history.

Young scored his 21st try for the year in last week’s defeat of Cronulla, equalling the number posted by Timanua Tahu (2002) and Akuila Uate (2010) with one game to play in the regular season.

Just when time was running out to set a new record against St George Illawarra on Saturday night, Young crossed twice in the final four minutes.

The pair of four-pointers hoisted his total for the season to 23 as the Knights confirmed a 32-12 win that locked up fifth spot on the ladder.

The try that broke the record was particularly memorable. Moses Suli up-ended the 200cm-tall Englishman, whose dreadlocks flew every which way as he grounded the ball in the corner while suspended mid-air. 

“The instincts kind of kicked in. I definitely found myself in a position I’ve probably not been in before,” Young said.

“If I’m finishing in the corner, I always back myself to keep the ball down so it’s just about keeping my body in the field of play. 

“It’s a bit harder when you’ve got size 15 (shoes) near the sidelines. My body probably wasn’t made to bend and move like that but it’s all good.”

Young’s stellar season will stretch into the finals before he moves to the Roosters in 2024, having signed on in the pre-season.

Young said leaving a legacy in Newcastle had been part of his motivation for wanting to chase Tahu and Uate’s record down.

“That’s kind of why I wanted it and that’s why I was pretty proud to get it now. It definitely means a lot to go out like that,” he said.

“It’s pretty special. I’ve had it on my mind for a few weeks now.”

Before he goes, Young is hoping to tick more goals off with the Knights, who will host their first home final since 2006 next weekend.

“That’s always been the main goal, to play finals,” he said.

“But we’re not satisfied with just finals now, we’ve won nine on the bounce and home final, we want to be winning that game and winning all the games to come really.”