PORT ADELAIDE Next Generation Academy talent Lauren Young has caught the eye of national recruiters after finishing as South Australia’s MVP at the NAB AFLW Under 19 Championship in Melbourne.

Young racked up plenty of the ball in South Australia’s opening round loss to Victoria Country on Monday, finishing with 29 disposals in a best afield performance for the Croweaters.

She also had six tackles and five inside 50s in the 15-point defeat.

The 15-year-old showed maturity beyond her years and backed it up with a remarkable 37 possessions, nine tackles, five clearances and a goal as South Australia fell six points short to the Allies on Thursday.

Young needed special permission to play in the tournament because of her age.

The championship was the first time the SANFL has named a standalone side, having previously combined with the Northern Territory.

It has been a fantastic six weeks for Young who was named the SANFLW’s Round 1 Powerade Breakthrough Player after her debut for West Adelaide.

She is ranked third for disposals and fourth for marks in the SANFLW despite playing one game less than any other player in the top tens.

The Henley High School student, who comes from the Goodwood Saints, has been part of the Port Adelaide NGA set-up for four years and will be eligible to be drafted in 2023.

Game 1

VIC COUNTRY             1.3     2.5    4.5     5.6 (36)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA   2.0     3.0    3.3     3.3 (21)

GOALS
Vic Country: Scott 3, Slender, Tierney
South Australia: Breguet, Clifton, Halfpenny

BEST
Vic Country: McRae, Tierney, Anthony, Scott, Dojiok, Leonard
South Australia: Young, Venning, Huynh, Morriss, Lane, Buethke

Game 2

ALLIES                          3.2     3.4    3.4     3.8     (26)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA       1.0     1.0    1.2     3.2    (20)

GOALS
Allies: Bissett, C. Hamilton, Maurer
South Australia: Ballard, Venning, Young

BEST
Allies: C. Hamilton, King, Ransom, Doyle, Maurer 
South Australia: Young, Venning, Ballard, Prowse, Schirmer