TOP-AGE talent Skout Young is enjoying a strong start to the 2026 SANFL Women’s season with Sturt, building on her half dozen games from last season to become a key member of the Double Blues’ front half. One of a number of players looking to crack into the final South Australian Under 18s squad, Young has spent time both up forward and through the middle, with her versatility being a big tick.
We spoke to Young at the South Australian Preseason Testing event about her football journey, gamestyle, inspirations and goals for the future.
Q: Start us off with your footballing journey – how you got started and where you are now?
SY: “I’ve been playing since I was in Under 9s, back in Victoria. I started there and then started playing for Sturt when I was like 14, I think, for the juniors. And then, yeah, kept going up.”
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the move of states? Did you grow up in a rural area or did you completely shift?
SY: “I did. I was born in Melbourne, then we moved to Shelford, which is near Ballarat and Geelong – kind of in the middle. I moved footy clubs a few times, so it was kind of a bit of a pain because I didn’t really establish myself. And then when I moved over here, I missed out on Sturt that year because I didn’t live there. So I started as a top ager, which is kind of a pain.”
Q: In terms of making your way through the levels of football – starting out locally and slowly getting more professional – how’s the step up been, finishing now in the state program?
SY: “I think personally I play better when I’m with better teammates and opponents. So it’s been really good for me. When I play at local footy, I probably play worse – I put too much pressure on myself and kind of just don’t really play to my potential. Whereas when I’m playing at Sturt and at State, I think I play a lot better and kind of show my skills a bit more.”
Q: Where do you think you’re going to fit in this year in terms of your position?
SY: “At Sturt, I would say probably forward and then rolling into the midfield as well. Then at state, I’m not 100 percent sure, but maybe wing or half-back.”
Q: What are some of the strengths in your game?
SY: “I would say my ability to just not give up. I kind of just keep going contest to contest and I’m pretty strong and powerful in the air and on the ground. My ability to win one-on-ones I think is quite good – just get to that contest and beat my opponent every time.”
Q: On the flip side, what are you still looking to work on?
SY: “Probably just my decision making a bit. Sometimes I’ll rush a little bit too much – kind of just pushing back off the mark and taking that extra second to assess my options. Then I guess probably just not being so hard on myself as well.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of football? Who do you support?
SY: “Yeah. Carlton.”
Q: Are there any players you look up to and model your game on?
SY: “I don’t model my game on him, but Sam Docherty. Just he’s the pillar of resilience. Everything, he just never gives up. You think, oh yeah, he’s done, but he just keeps going all the time. I don’t base my actual playing game off him, but I would love to be just that mentally tough. I think that’s a great trait that he has.”
Q: Can you point to anyone who’s had the most influence on your career so far?
SY: “I would say my mum. Me being so hard on myself all the time, she’s always kind of able to pull me back and just help me have belief in myself. Before I got my Ps, because we lived quite far away – even now we live in Callington, near Murray Bridge – she was just driving me like 900km a week to get to trainings and games and just never complained about it.”
Q: You’re doing that driving yourself now?
SY: “Yeah. It took me over an hour to get here (testing) today. Sometimes I’m a bit knackered from all the driving as well.”
Q: Are you still at school?
SY: “Yeah, I’m in Year 12 at Urrbrae (Agricultural High School).”
Q: Lastly, what goals have you set out to achieve this year?
SY: “Play really well at the National Champs and just know that I gave it my all, and get drafted. And then just play consistent footy at Sturt as well.”
