Former Dragons chairman Craig Young has denied suggestions he did the wrong thing by providing a character reference for disgraced NRL star Brett Finch.
Finch, 41, has pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Young provided Finch a glowing court reference sent using the club’s letterhead — a move which he later said was an “error in judgement”.
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St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb said that Young’s departure was simply a part of a “rotation cycle” but Young stated his exit was “purely my call”.
“I didn’t get forced out and I told you why,” Young said to the SMH.
“But I don’t back away from my support [for Finch]. In fact, I’d do it all again tomorrow. You don’t desert your mates.
“That’s how I’ve lived my life and how I’ve brought up my kids. I have no problem with living like that.”
Young also explained he left his post to avoid having a negative influence on the playing group or coach Anthony Griffin.
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Griffin’s position as the Dragons coach is under heavy scrutiny after Red V powerbrokers reportedly assured young guns Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan he wouldn’t be at the helm past the 2023 season.
Gun halfback Ben Hunt also said Griffin’s future depended on his side’s start to the season.
“There were things to consider,” Young said.
“The players were coming back to training and I didn’t want to disrupt that. I needed to make sure it was not something they would have to deal with.
“I didn’t want to have an impact on anything Anthony was doing either. He will be judged on the results he gets.”
