Young ready to step into captain's role

Utility Dean Young has been named as a frontrunner for the job as captain of the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2009.

Other contenders include centre Matt Cooper, forward Ben Creagh and utility back Ben Hornby.

New Dragons coach Wayne Bennett will most likely name the skipper after the trials in February.

If named, Young will be following in the foot steps of some of the biggest names in the game that have captained the Red V.

Former St George captain Ian Walsh has got behind Young as the future captain.

"There are three there that would handle the job well but I do like Dean Young,'' Walsh told The Daily Telegraph.

"I like his go-forward and he is always in the thick of things. He seems a level-headed bloke who isn't into outrageous comments or outrageous behaviour on the field.