Hudson Young's journey to his State of Origin debut is anything but typical, taking him three years and four series to earn his long-awaited spot.
The Canberra backrower made his debut in 2023 and participated in six matches over the following series, primarily playing limited minutes from the bench.
There's a clear reason behind his selection for this impactful role. Young stands out amongst his peers; he possesses speed, strength, and an impressive skill set, and he's daring enough to utilize it.
Whether it's charging through a defensive line, delivering a crunching tackle, or pulling off unexpected moves like a flick pass or a long-range kick, Young doesn't shy from seizing opportunities on the field.
In fact, this season, he boasts one fewer try assist than Mitchell Moses and has recorded more kick assists than Blues five-eighth Ethan Strange.
This unique skill set makes the 27-year-old unlike other backrowers, frequently assigned the role of a disruptive force in the Origin arena. Young's playing style resembles that of a mechanical bull-there's no choice but to hold on and see where it takes you.
However, Young aspired for more than a series of chaotic appearances and was determined to seize the opportunity to start for the Blues in the series opener.
"I've been wanting this opportunity for many years now and I've finally got it. Now it's up to me to play consistent footy and keep performing in this arena," Young said.
"The jersey is only yours to perform in, so I need to make sure every time I pull it on, I do the state proud."