NEXT Generation Academy players Lauren Young, Shineah Goody, Molly Brooksby and Brooke Boileau have been invited to train with Port Adelaide’s AFLW side in 2023. 

The promising talents have joined the playing group for one training per week, with all four players be eligible for the next NAB AFLW Draft, which is expected to take place in December.  

The quartet recently participated in South Australia’s winning under-18 national championships campaign, with Young, Goody and Boileau named in the All-Australian team. 

The four most recent expansion teams hold up to three academy concessions to be used for players from their respective zone for the first three drafts in which the club participates.  

Port Adelaide’s zone includes SANFLW clubs West Adelaide, Norwood, South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens. 

List manager Naomi Maidment was pleased to welcome the group to Alberton, exposing them to the elite standards and expectations of AFLW. 

“Despite academy picks being available to us for the last two drafts, we have had one eye on the upcoming draft, knowing these talented young players would soon be eligible and have come through our pathway,” Maidment said. 

“If you haven’t heard about Lauren Young in SA, you definitely haven’t been watching the talent pathway. She is the ultimate utility, she can really play in any position on the field.  

“Shineah is one of those unassuming types because of her size, but is a really dangerous inside mid. She wins a lot of her own footy and could have an immediate impact at AFLW level. 

“Molly fought her way back from injury and was great for South Australia in the last few months, while Brooke has been the surprise packet of the national champs.  

“This is a great opportunity for these four players, and we are looking forward to see what the future holds for them.”