THE consensus top prospect in this year’s AFLW Draft pool is West Adelaide utility Lauren Young, and that has been the case from a long way out. Throughout a junior career littered with accolades, and senior seasons of the same ilk, she has set herself apart as the brightest talent in women’s football.

Young turned out for the AFLW Academy in Sunday’s showcase game against the Under 23 All-Stars, and despite her side suffering a two-point loss on the Marvel Stadium stage, she managed to provide a glimpse of her potential with near match-winning efforts. She’s this week’s Player Focus.

>> Scouting Notes: AFLW Academy vs. U23 All-Stars

West Adelaide Women's, South Australia GirlsKey Position Utility

Lauren Young

Height: 178cm

Weight: -

DOB: 16-09-2005

STORY SO FAR

Where to start with Young’s career? The young gun burst onto the scene in 2021, taking out the SANFL Women’s league best and fairest and her state’s MVP award during an All Australian Under 19 National Championships campaign – all at 15 years of age.

She was struck down by a long-term injury at the start of last year, tearing her ACL, which ruled out what would have been a highly anticipated bottom-age season. Returning to the field in 2023 as a top-ager, she is finally draft eligible and still the same dominant player.

So far this year, Young turned out for 11 SANFLW games with West Adelaide, averaging 19 disposals, five marks and five tackles in a side which finished bottom with just two wins. She also represented her state at Under 18 level, proving a handful in the Croweaters’ convincing win over Western Australia.

AFLW Academy 6.6 (42) def. by U23 All-Stars 6.8 (44)

Player Focus: #22 Lauren Young (AFLW Academy)
Stats: 17 disposals (11 kicks, 6 handballs), 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals

First Quarter:

Given she spends most of her time up forward with stints in midfield, it is easy to forget that Young is also an All Australian centre half-back. She started in defence on Sunday, matching up on an array of All-Star talls but impressing most with her offensive output.

Young’s first touch came after three minutes, as she met a loose ball at pace on defensive wing before bursting away and kicking up the line to Sienna McMullen. Continuing her run, she got the ball back immediately and again booted the ball further afield.

Her ability to spark coast-to-coast play led to Lila Keck’s opening goal, and would become a feature of Young’s game out of defensive 50. It was perhaps driven by a mix of adrenaline and intent, but certainly proved effective in an imposing few passages.

With such a strong work ethic, Young could have been a touch more economical in choosing when to peel off her opponent and join the contest, as smarter forwards will likely lose her inside 50. Still, it’s one of her points of difference as a tall who can split aerial balls and then compete at ground level.

Second Quarter:

Switching to a matchup on rotating ruck Lauren Jatczak to Krystal Russell, Young continued to adopt an aggressive mindset in peeling off to impact contests when the chance to intercept looked likely. She used her body well one-on-one, but also attacked loose balls with vigour – just ask Ava Jordan.

Young initiated another end-to-end passage, this time linking up with Kiera Whiley in one of her many efforts to mop up across the back line, before driving the ball in transition. She was always diligent to work back once she had advanced outside 50, too, especially on turnover.

With plenty of attacking ball use up the corridor from both sides, Young would have been forgiven for folding under pressure, but kept her composure with ball in hand and fought fire with fire, taking the game to the All-Stars on the rebound with some positive results.

Third Quarter:

Down by four points at the main break and as many as 11 points early in term three, the AFLW Academy needed someone to step up. Enter Young, who turned the game on its head with two – and very nearly three – terrific goals to snatch back the lead at three-quarter time.

Thrown forward, she was now the player on the end of quick transitional play and looked most dangerous inside attacking 50. She went through three different opponents – Ava Campbell, Brooke Smith, and Kaylea Kobzan – with her aerial prowess and constant movement proving tough to combat.

Young’s first major was converted on the end of a lovely pack mark from the side, showing a deliberate and sound set shot routine. Her second was more flukey, a left-foot snap which plugged the right way on multiple bounces to put her side ahead.

Her ability to stay with the play led to the second score, having sent a shot wide just moments earlier. Young was robbed of a third major for infringing in a marking contest one-out in the goalsquare. A glare was sent the umpire’s way when her opponent later got away with a similar act.

Fourth Quarter:

Supply was not as frequent or polished in the final quarter, where the AFLW Academy was eventually eclipsed for a two-point defeat. It showed on Young’s stat sheet, along with some rotation, as she could only add a single handball across the closing 20 minutes.

Though, it was an important possession at that. Stationed deep, Young camped out the back of a forward 50 pack and got the crumbs, dishing off to Sophie Peters who darted a ball across goal for Alyssia Pisano. The latter converted and gave the Academy a sniff in the dying stages.

Closing thoughts…

Despite falling just short of being the game-winner for her side with an extraordinary third quarter, Young showcased her potential at both ends of the ground on Sunday. She’s a tough matchup in the air and at ground level, with her size, athleticism, and work rate felling many opponents.

A real competitor with rare gifts, it is easy to see why Young is so highly touted and Sunday’s effort was just another chapter in her storied path to the top. She’ll now focus on a state campaign with South Australia as the leading draft prospect not just in her home region, but nationwide.