West Adelaide SANFLW star and Port NGA product Lauren Young stars at AFLW national champs

She’s just 15 but this footy star equalled the record number of disposals during AFLW nationals. See her numbers here and which AFLW player she emulated.

West Adelaide SANFLW star and Port Adelaide female Next Generation Academy member Lauren Young starred for SA at the AFLW under-19 national championships, winning the MVP. Picture: Mark Brake

Lauren Young gets nervous before every footy game she plays.

But the rising star is pretty good at channelling that nervous energy and turning it into eye-catching performances.

At just 15 years old, Young had to receive special permission from the AFL to line up for SA at the NAB AFLW under-19 championships last week.

And it is no wonder the Croweaters were desperate for her to play.

In the first game against Vic Country, she amassed 29 disposals, six tackles and five inside-50s.

Lauren Young after returning home from the NAB AFLW under-19 championships which were hosted in Melbourne last week. Picture: Mark Brake

Then, three days later in the final match against WA, Young finished with a whopping 37 possessions, nine tackles, five clearances and a goal.

She equalled Carlton AFLW star and reigning best and fairest Maddy Prespakis who finished the 2017 AFLW under-18 national championships with 37 possessions.

GWS midfielder Alyce Parker also racked up 37 disposals during the under-18 AFLW national titles in 2017.

Young, who plays for West Adelaide’s SANFLW side, said the experience was one she would remember for a long time.

“I was super nervous for it even though it turned out OK,” Young, of Mile End, said.

“I’m a big over-thinker.

“Every time I play a game I get really nervous before — it’s not good I wouldn’t want to be near me before a game.

“Especially going up against older girls it is a little nerve-racking.

“But I did learn not really to focus on the age perspective and just go out there and play some footy.”

⭐️ Lauren Young ⭐️

She takes home the SA MVP at the NAB AFLW U19 National Champs 🥇 pic.twitter.com/3m2qRXhvRv

— SANFL (@SANFL) April 15, 2021

SA lost both its matches, going down to Vic Country by 15 points at Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee, before a six-point defeat to the Allies at Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham.

In the clash with the Allies – a team made up of players from NSW/ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania – Young almost single-handedly dragged her side over the line.

Despite the losses, the Henley High Year 10 student was proud of her teammates.

She credited her coaches at West Adelaide for her strong individual performances.

“I think the girls did super well throughout the whole carnival even though we didn’t get a win,” she said.

“I feel like we really connected as a team and it’s going to be good to look back on all of this.

“I’ve had a lot of good coaches throughout the years.

“Through Westies, I started early with Shane Moon and then with (current coach) Mark Moody who have both given me the opportunity.

“Then at Henley with the (footy) program, I’ve had lots of time to work on my skills.”

Young, who is part of Port Adelaide’s female Next Generation Academy and Goodwood Saints’ under-17.5 girls side, will have to wait a little longer before she is eligible to put her hand up for an AFLW draft.

She is keen to continue improving and performing well with the Bloods – Young is currently averaging 18.4 touches after five SANFLW games this year – to boost her draft chances.

“I hope to get picked up, I don’t really mind by who,” she said.