The 36-year-old will end a nearly two-decade unbroken association with the joint-venture as a player and coach when he moves on after being passed over for the head coaching role.

The board ultimately appointed Anthony Griffin, who asked Young to stay on as an assistant, but the 2010 premiership hero felt it best to spread his wings having spent his playing and coaching career exclusively in Wollongong.

READ MORE: Young to part ways with Dragons at season's end

He informed the board of his decision on Wednesday night and centre Zac Lomax said he informed the playing group on Thursday morning.

"He's unsure where he'll be but he told us this morning that he's not going to be here at the Dragons," Lomax said.

"We're obviously disappointed but, at the same time, we're super stoked for him because it's a new challenge for him. He's got a young family so it's a fresh start for them as well and I'm sure it's only going to be beneficial for him.

"It's a massive loss. He's a man's man and he's so loyal and passionate about the club. He's such a selfless person and I've built a really good relationship with him over the years.

"I wish him the best with his coaching career, he's going to make a helluva [head] coach one day. Hopefully down the track we cross paths again, he's going to be a helluva coach wherever he ends up."

With fellow stalwart Ben Hornby having departed for Souths at the end of last season, Young's departure is the end of era for the club.

With Shane Flanagan and James Shepherd to follow Young out the door, Griffin will bring in an entirely new-look staff. It's something Lomax welcomes after spending his entire career under McGregor and Young.

"I think a fresh start is a good point to be at, it's definitely going to feel like that having a lot of new faces around," Lomax said.

"I personally haven't met Hook but Benny Hunt and Normy have been under him, Mez [Trent Merrin] has as well, and from all reports he's a really good coach who cares a lot about his players.

"I'm sure the club's made the right decision, I'm supportive of it and I'm sure all the players are going to be as well, but we've got two more games to go.

"There's a fair few people leaving the club that have put so much into the club over the last few years so we want to finish on a positive note."

Lomax has some personal skin in that game, with NSW coach Brad Fittler - who's long had a rap on him - pitching him as a possible Blues squad member.

Only injury will unseat incumbent pair Jack Wighton and Tom Trbojovic, but being part of the camp would be an invaluable experience for the 20-year-old first dubbed 'the gifted one' by Fittler as a teenager.

"I'm not too focused on that at the moment," Lomax said.

"The Blues team is really good at the moment, you look at the players they have in their squad, they've won two series back to back. That's no fluke.

"There's some absolute classy players in that team and everyone that's in that squad deserves to be there.

"That'll take care of itself and whatever will be, will be. I'm just worried about being the best teammate I can for this club. We've still got two games to go so that's my focus."

Claiming a maiden Origin jumper would be an ironic turn for the Temora product, who spent the preseason preparing to play fullback only to last one game before being shifted.

READ MORE: Dragons newest star almost picked up his ball and went home

He's made the right centre position his own, being arguably the Dragons best player in an otherwise forgettable 2020. Where he'll be by the end of his lengthy five-year contract with the club is another question, but it's not one he's agonising over.

"I'm pretty similar to Cam McInnes, he likes to see himself as just a footy player and I'm pretty similar," Lomax said.

"I don't mind where I'm playing, I just hope wherever it is I can build some consistency around that and build some consistency around my game.

"To be in the centre position for pretty much the whole year, I feel my game's picked up a bit. It depends what team you're in too.

"We'e got a really good fullback here in Duf [Matt Dufty] and he's playing outstanding footy. We're scoring some good tries and combinations are working well so I'm happy to stay in the centres."