Port Adelaide’s Lauren Young says she’ll “play every game like it’s her last” as she prepares to make her AFLW debut against Geelong this weekend at Alberton.  

After almost 18 months on the sidelines, Young described her long-awaited debut as a reward for persistence after enduring two ACL ruptures, meniscus issues and a series of associated setbacks, but now she’s preparing to don the black, white and teal for the first time.  

Speaking to portadelaidefc.com.au ahead of her first game at the highest level, Young touched on making her debut, the challenging ACL rehabilitation journey, how her body has responded to full contact training, and what she’s missed most about football.   

Young on making her long-awaited AFLW debut 
“I'm really excited. I think I've spoken to every person this week and said I'm just itching to get out there. After nearly 18 months, it's so exciting to be able to do what I love.” 

“I find it funny because I came through the Next Generation Academy program, and obviously I had done my first ACL there, then I played for a year, and then did my other ACL. So, I think Port has seen me do most of my ACL rehabilitation, which is crazy to me, but I've been so supported through the whole thing. This year was really difficult. An ACL is a 12-month injury, and to get to 18 months… a few things happened, and there were a few complications, but I think each setback I got through, working with the strength and conditioning team and the physios. I'm happy to be back in good health.” 

Young on her ACL rehabilitation journey 
“Obviously this ACL rupture was a little bit more difficult because I did my meniscus, then I did my meniscus again, and then had some infections, just a bunch of different stuff happening. I think the most difficult part of it was being a bit isolated from the group. On day one when I came here, the first thing I did was walk into the gym while the girls were outside training, it was difficult.” 

“I had Indy (Tahau) at the time, I'm happy she's back playing, then I had JC (Janelle Cuthbertson) come into the rehab group, so I've always had someone with me, which was good. I think the setbacks were difficult. Having a patella injury, I feel like it's not spoken about a lot, but you never know what you get when you wake up if it’s going to be good, or if it’s going to be bad, and I think that's just based on your knee. It’s hard to control, but you just have to do what you can control: that’s doing the right things in the gym and outside of the club at home too.” 

“I definitely treated this rehab differently to my first ACL rupture. I think my first ACL, I was obviously a bit younger, and I hadn't had the experience before, and I was probably a little bit more negative than I was this year. I think every setback that came I just took with a grain of salt. I just worked in the gym with all the people that I needed to work with and got through each little injury – but it was difficult.” 

“I would say in the car to myself every morning: ‘have a smile, if you need to have a cry, have a cry,’ but I tried to rock up to the club with a positive attitude, and I hope that the girls thought that as well.” 

Young on her return to full contact training 
“I didn't know what to expect, but my body's held up really well. I think it’s a credit to the work I’ve done with the strength and conditioning team. I've basically been running for the last 17 and a half months, so I knew my fitness would be good. Now I’m just hoping my match fitness, when I start getting into games, improves.” 

Young on what she’s missed most about football 
“The competitive aspect of the game, that’s why I play football. I love competitiveness. Even the pressure of a game day, or the feeling you get the week leading up. I told the girls this week during a team meeting to never take the guernsey for granted, because you never know when it can be taken away. I'll always hold that with me, and I’ll play every game like it’s my last.” 

Young on pulling the Port Adelaide guernsey on for the first time 
“It's going to be unreal. Being here through the Next Generation Academy, I've been here for probably five years now – it's just flown by. The club have been so supportive.” 

“I don't know if I can say this, but I grew up being a Crows supporter. But I've definitely transitioned, and my whole family's transitioned (to Port Adelaide fans). We absolutely love this club. I'm just so excited to put the guernsey on and play with the girls on the weekend.” 

Young on what fans can expect to see from her 
“I hope they can see some contested marks – I'd like to think that's my strength, and the height probably helps with that. Maybe some long kicks, if we're lucky, and hopefully some goals.”