PORT ADELAIDE Next Generation Academy talent Lauren Young has been named in the NAB AFLW Under 19 All-Australian team after her impressive showing at the national championship earlier this year.

At just 15, Young needed special permission to play in the tournament because of her age but finished the Championship as South Australia’s MVP.

In the first women’s carnival where the SANFL had a standalone team, without partnering with the Northern Territory, Young was a standout, being best afield in both her games and averaging 33 disposals.

Young is one of just three South Australians named in the All-Australian squad, alongside Sturt ruck Zoe Prowse and her West Adelaide teammate Zoe Venning.

The Goodwood Saints and Henley High product, who has been part of Port Adelaide’s NGA for four years, was one of four players in the All-Australian side still yet to reach draft age.

It caps a remarkable year for Young, who made her SANFLW debut and then claimed three awards including the SANFL Best and Fairest.

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said selection in the NAB AFLW U19 All-Australian Team was a significant honour.

"These girls represent the best young female footballers in the country," Sheehan said.

"It was a wonderful experience to see first-hand the emerging future stars of the AFLW competition playing and they highlight the quality of talent coming through the national pathway programs.

"The players selected have the exciting combination of elite athleticism, fundamental skills and plenty of X-factor to have earned their recognition as an NAB AFLW All-Australian.

"Four of the selected players are precocious talents being younger than Draft age with NAB AFLW U19 Championships Player of the Championships Ella Roberts, as well as South Australia’s Lauren Young, Victoria Country’s Paige Scott and Allies MVP winner Cynthia Hamilton. All girls will be eligible to play in these Championships again next year ahead of the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft.

"We look forward to watching the progression of this extremely talented group of girls into the NAB AFLW competition and their impact in future years."

The selection panel for the All-Australian side was Kevin Sheehan (Chair, AFL), Tarkyn Lockyer (AFL), Sam Virgo (Queensland/Gold Coast SUNS), Trent Mosbey (Richmond), Todd Patterson (Melbourne) and Jess Smith (AFL).