Newcastle Knights back-rower Tyson Frizell has publicly endorsed his former mentor Dean Young, describing him as a 'great coach' who played a pivotal role in his development at the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Frizell's Praise for Young
In a recent interview, Frizell spoke highly of Young, who served as an assistant coach under Paul McGregor and later took over as interim head coach in 2020. 'Dean was massive for me,' Frizell said. 'He's a great coach and a great person. He really helped me grow as a player and as a person.'
Frizell, who played 156 games for the Dragons before joining the Knights in 2021, credited Young with improving his defensive game and leadership skills. 'He taught me a lot about the little things in footy that make a big difference,' Frizell added.
Young's Coaching Journey
Dean Young, a former Dragons player himself, has been a key figure in the club's coaching ranks. After taking over as interim head coach in 2020, he was not retained for the 2021 season. However, his influence on players like Frizell remains evident. Young is currently an assistant coach at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Frizell's comments come as the Knights prepare for the upcoming NRL season, with the back-rower eager to build on his form. 'I'm feeling good, and I'm ready to help the Knights push for finals,' he said.
Dragons' Legacy
The Dragons have a rich history of producing quality forwards, and Frizell believes Young's coaching contributed to that tradition. 'He understood what it meant to play for the Dragons and he passed that on to us,' Frizell said.
As the NRL season approaches, Frizell's endorsement of Young highlights the lasting impact of good coaching on players' careers. The Knights will be hoping Frizell can bring that same influence to their young squad.
