Dean Young immediately inspires Dragons' "best session of the year"

Dragons players have lauded their first training session under Dean Young as their best of the season, according to SEN’s Chad Townsend.

The Dragons today held their first session under new interim coach Dean Young following the sacking of Shane Flanagan and Michael Ennis.

The Dragons are winless in their last 11 starts, including all seven games this season, and are aiming to turn their fortunes around on ANZAC Day against the Roosters, one of the biggest fixtures on the NRL calendar.

Speaking on SEN 1170 Drive, Townsend revealed he spoke to Dragons' centre Valentine Holmes after their first training, with the Origin representative revealing the session was their best so far this year.

“I just checked in with Val (Holmes) this afternoon and said, ‘how was your day, how did it all go down there?” Townsend revealed.

“Obviously a big day in Dragons HQ… and he just said it was one of our best days, we had probably one of our best sessions of the year.

“Obviously they’ve got a massive game this weekend against the Roosters (on) ANZAC Day, so big changes (but) by all reports they’ve had a good day today.”

Young hasn’t been afraid to make changes in his first few days in the top job, swinging the axe on halfback Kyle Flanagan in favour of teenage sensation Kade Reed, who will debut this Saturday.

Reed impressed in the pre-season trial, but at 20-years-old, will be thrown into a baptism of fire, tasked with leading the Dragons around.

Young revealed that one of his first acts as interim coach was driving to Reed’s home to tell the youngster and his parents he would be debuting in a strong show of faith in the halfback. Townsend, a premiership-winning halfback under Shane Flanagan in 2016, was impressed by Reed in the pre-season, and was eager to watch him debut.

“I've asked Val how he is, I've watched him in the trials, I really like what I've seen,” Townsend said.

“Val likes him, he’s a good kid, he trains hard. He's got all the attributes of a good halfback.

“He plays nice and square, he's got x-factor, he's got skill.

“There's no doubt he'll have to make some tackles this weekend, but to get out there and have a go, I absolutely love the story of Dean Young going round to his parents' house and telling him that he's gonna make his debut. I thought that was really classy.”

Following their winless start, many Dragons’ players will be looking for bounce backs in form, including Holmes.

Holmes faced calls for his axing during the week after a dismal performance against NSW hopeful Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs where he missed 10 tackles.

Townsend is backing Holmes for a big response, revealing the Origin centre was “filthy” with his performance, despite requiring an injection to play.

“He was disappointed. He was devastated,” Townsend said.

“He was seeing red… he was disappointed for sure, and he needs a big game.

“Obviously as Val's mate, I'm happy that (Young’s) kept him in there, but he needs a response and I think you'll see that from not only him, but I think the rest of the guys are on notice.

“It's almost like Kieran Foran kept the same guys in there and said if you guys don’t perform, then you're out, and I think Dean Young has kind of gone the similar route.”