STAR South Australian junior Lauren Young has ruptured her ACL and will miss the 2022 SANFLW season with West Adelaide.
Young, a Port Adelaide NGA product, needed special permission to play at the NAB AFLW Under-19 Championships earlier this year as she was just 15 (now 16).
The 179cm utility justified the decision with a series of stunning performances, named her state's MVP and in the Under-19 All-Australian team.
She averaged 33 disposals (19.5 contested possessions), eight tackles, three marks and 2.5 rebounds at the championships, and then took out the SANFLW's best and fairest despite her tender age.
West Adelaide released the following statement:
"The West Adelaide Football Club wishes to notify all members and supporters that 2021 SANFLW League best and fairest winner Lauren Young unfortunately injured her ACL last Friday at training and will unfortunately miss the 2022 SANFLW season.
"We wish Lauren a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see her don the red and black again once she is fully recovered."
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Young is eligible for the draft in 2023 (ahead of the 2024 season), while Port Adelaide will enter the competition the year prior.
There have not yet been any rules introduced to allow for the signing of NGA products in the AFLW.
