Young look to have put a horror season behind them with a strong performance at the West Wyalong Knockout.
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Little went right for the Cherrypickers last season, who lost their first eight games despite making finals in 2017, but under new coach Roy Jewitt things look a lot more positive.
Eventual winners Goulburn proved far too strong in the semi-final, taking a 30-0 win.
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Jewitt thought they failed to match their level after coming off tight games against Mudgee and Griffith Black and Whites.
"We struggled, didn't get into the game and they were too good," Jewitt said.
"They stepped it up another level."
However Jewitt could see plenty of positives from the weekend.
Sam Langford looked strong in his return to the club at hooker while Saul Lealaitafea looked a new man in the front row, consigning Aaron Slater to the bench.
"Obviously we have a lot to work on, but this is what these games are for," Jewitt said.
Meanwhile, Goulburn's NRL class stood tall to help win their second West Wyalong Knockout crown in five years.
Former Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm hooker James Aubusson was the match winner as he stretched over the line to score in the second period of extra time to down Wagga Brothers 12-6.
Goulburn eased through the preliminary rounds but were pushed to the limit by the Wagga club in the decider.
Coach Adam Kyle was pleased to come away with the hard-fought win.
"We came into the weekend knowing we would have to play our best football in the final game and we probably did that," Kyle said.
"It took us a bit of time to get into to groove and get our match play together as this is really the first time we've had a go together as a squad.
"We saved our best for last and it was a tight, grindy game so I'm really happy to win."
The Bulldogs last won at West Wyalong in 2015 and went on to make the Canberra Raiders Cup final that season.
Goulburn opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Chris Whatman powered his way through the Brothers defence.
The Bulldogs led 6-0 at the break only for Brothers to equalise with six minutes remaining.
Neither team got over the line in the first period of extra time before a dropped bomb gave Goulburn the ball 10 metres out and Aubusson pounced on the opportunity.
Kyle is hoping their pre-season success can kick start a big year.
Young enjoyed victories over Mudgee and Griffith in the preliminary rounds of the West Wyalong Knockout.
On Friday night, the Cherrypickers negotiated an opening round clash against Group 10's Mudgee Dragons, winning 13-12 thanks to a field goal by Jesse Corcoran in the closing stages.
