Dean Young has stepped into a significant role as the interim head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons, following the departure of Shane Flanagan.
With the 2026 NRL season in mind, Young held his first press conference after receiving the head coaching position on Tuesday.
In this meeting, he shared two pivotal actions he undertook after being informed by the club.
First, Young had a conversation with his wife about the difficult path that lay ahead, advising her to "buckle up." He also expressed his regrets to his children for the inevitable chaos that comes with the responsibilities of a head coach.
The second significant step involved a visit to Kade Reed's home, where he personally invited Reed to be the starting halfback for the Dragons moving forward.
Fans are excited to see Reed make his much-anticipated NRL debut on Anzac Day, as there has been a growing call for a shift in the halves for the Dragons.
This local junior from Wollongong will take on the role of chief playmaker, with Daniel Atkinson positioned as five-eighth, while Kyle Flanagan shifts to the bench for spine coverage.
Although it's a bold decision to kick off Reed's career in such a crucial match, Young emphasized he wouldn't do so unless he felt the player was prepared.
"I thought it was important that his parents understood the reason why I'm giving him the opportunity," Young stated during his media address.
He acknowledged that some might critique his choice, noting, "People will probably judge my decision and say that we're 0 and seven, chucking in a kid on debut on Anzac Day is risky."