St George Illawarra Dragons coach Dean Young has endorsed Hamish Stewart, declaring the promising player ready for an international debut with Australia in the upcoming World Cup.
Among the promising players in the Red V lineup are several gifted pathway juniors, such as Dylan Egan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Jacob Halangahu, and Toby and Ryan Couchman.
The abilities of these emerging forwards shone brightly during a dramatic local derby on Sunday, where the Dragons secured an impressive 24-16 victory against the formidable Cronulla Sharks.
Young praised Stewart's outstanding performance on the left edge, noting that it marked his best outing since his NRL debut in early 2025.
"He's a special talent, and it wouldn't shock me if Kevvie Walters picks him in the Australian tour at the end of the year; he's that good," Young remarked about Stewart during his post-match press conference.
"(Stewart) is a bloke that can play edge backrow and middle just as good with his skill set… he's got a big future, and it's going to be at the Dragons."
Even as the Dragons faced struggles at the bottom of the ladder for much of the season, their performance has noticeably improved under Young's leadership since he took over in April.
The Dragons displayed resilience against Cronulla, who started strong by scoring the first try in just the fifth minute, overcoming adversity to delight their passionate fans.
"I reckon the resilience we showed was probably what stood out for me," Young stated.