TOP JUNIOR talent Lauren Young made a successful return from a torn ACL on Saturday in the SANFLW.

Playing in West Adelaide's 14-point, round one win over Glenelg, Young top-scored with 1.3 from her 15 disposals, taking a game-high seven marks and laying four tackles.

She is eligible to play in the NAB AFLW competition in 2024.

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Young – who has been working with Port Adelaide's Next Generation Academy over the past few years – set the NAB Under-19 Championships alight in 2021 at just 15.

Having needed special permission to play against girls four years her senior, she was named South Australia's MVP and named in the Under-19 All-Australian team.

Lauren Young in action during an AFLW Academy training session at The Hangar on January 20, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

An incredibly versatile utility at 179cm – a key forward/second ruck height at AFLW level – Young's often found in the midfield, having averaged 33 disposals at that 2021 championships.

The 2021 SANFLW best and fairest winner (playing against senior women) ruptured her ACL at pre-season training with West Adelaide in November, 2021. 

A handful of AFLW talent also took to the field in round one of the SANFLW:

  • Brooke Tonon (Glenelg/Adelaide, 18 disposals)
  • Keeley Kustermann (West Adelaide/Adelaide, 14 disposals, four clearances)
  • Jade Halfpenny (Norwood/Port Adelaide, 16 disposals, one goal)
  • Megan Gaffney (Norwood/GWS, 15 disposals, two goals)
  • Najwa Allen (Norwood/Adelaide, 11 disposals, seven marks)
  • Britt Perry (North Adelaide/Port Adelaide, nine disposals, one goal)
  • Jess Allan (Central District/GWS, 15 disposals, 20 hitouts)
  • Leah Cutting (Woodville-West Torrens/St Kilda, 18 disposals, five rebound 50s)

Former Richmond defender Iilish Ross (12 disposals, four rebound 50s) also played for West Adelaide.