West Adelaide’s Lauren Young wins 2021 SANFLW best and fairest at just 15 years old

It was no ordinary school day on Wednesday for this Henley High student after she stunned the competition at the SANFLW awards. Meet rising football star Lauren Young.

West Adelaide's Lauren Young won the SANFLW best and fairest on Tuesday night at just 15 years old. On Wednesday she was back at Henley High School, celebrating with classmates. Picture: Tom Huntley

There has likely never been a student who has walked through the school gates one morning with a story to tell from the night before quite like Lauren Young.

At just 15 years old, the West Adelaide rookie prodigy swept the awards in stunning fashion at the SANFLW Best and Fairest on Tuesday night.

Young was voted the competition’s top player by both the umpires and the SANFLW coaches.

Not only that, the Henley High School student also claimed the Powerade Breakthrough Player award and gained selection in the Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

After sweeping the awards on Tuesday night, it was back to school at Henley High for West Adelaide's rising star Lauren Young. Picture: Tom Huntley

Young said on Wednesday the incredible swag of awards had only just started to sink in.

“It kind of feels like an ordinary day until people come up congratulating you then it really starts sets in,” said Young, who will look to cap the campaign with a premiership in Saturday’s grand final.

“I walked through and saw the teachers first, so that was a funny one.

“But then I got to see the other students and missed about half my lessons, so I guess you could say it was a pretty good day.”

Young’s remarkable season began in round one when she collected 25 possessions, maximum votes and her Powerade Breakthrough Player nomination on debut for the Bloods.

Lauren Young in action for the Bloods. Picture: SANFL

Young starred for SA at the AFLW under-19 national championships earlier this year, winning the MVP award. Picture: Mark Brake

The midfielder was just one vote ahead of Glenelg’s Jessica Bates and Central’s Shelby Smith heading into the final match of the count.

But she was able to record maximum votes in West’s thrilling one-point win over South Adelaide to finish on 18 and claim the Statewide Super Women’s League Best and Fairest.

Young, who admitted she battles with nerves before every game, put much of the win down to her preparation.

“Before every game I always go back to round one and think what did I do then and how did I deal with everything,” she said.

“It helps me to motivate myself for that game and motivate me.

“I think I had a couple of mini heart attacks last night though.

“It was a real shock, I’m not going to lie, I thought Jessica or Shelby would have it in the bag but it was a real tight contest in the end.”

Young is part of Port Adelaide’s female Next Generation Academy and said the dream of being drafted to the AFLW was the long-term goal.

Even if she did out herself as a Crows supporter at Tuesday night’s awards.

“I saw (Adelaide coach) Matthew Clarke in the room and thought I would just give the Crows a shoutout,” she said.”

As for this Saturday’s SANFLW decider against Glenelg, Young it was fair to say she was excited.

“I’m so hype about it.”

West will take on the Tigers in the grand final at Thebarton oval from 12.15pm on Saturday.