Port Adelaide midfielder Aaron Young has managed to be selected in five consecutive games this season. That’s compared to just five in his 2013 season, which were all in the later stages of the AFL.
The 21-year-old was drafted with pick 36 in the 2010 National Draft alongside teammates Cameron Hitchcock, Cameron O’Shea, Ben Newton and former Brisbane Lion Jared Polec.
Young didn’t debut until 2012, as a half forward under former Port coach Matthew Primus.
He played the last nine consecutive games of the 2012 season, including the dismal loss to Greater Western Sydney, which saw Primus’ sacked.
There were early questions over Young’s kicking ability, but his skills by hand were great, finishing his debut season with a disposal efficiency of 78.6 per cent.
The highlight of the Power’s number 40 was a right-foot snap on the boundary in his debut season.
After Brett Ebert tapped the ball on the boundary line to keep it in play, Justin Westhoff kicked the ball across the ground towards Young. The rookie cleanly picked the Sherrin up and snapped a shot across his body for a goal.
Aaron Young played the majority of the 2013 season with feeder club the Port Adelaide Magpies. The youthful midfielder was continuously one of their best performers, but current coach Ken Hinkley struggled to find a spot for him in the team. He didn’t play AFL until Round 21 against Gold Coast. He finished well, with 16 touches at 68 per cent efficiency and a goal.
The next week he was the sub against Fremantle where the Power got smashed by twelve goals. Young was a shining light, who finished with 10 touches and classy goal in a bad night for the Power.
In the last round of the 2013 season at AAMI Stadium the Power went down by one point to Carlton. Young continued his good form with 18 disposals and another goal.
He was Port Adelaide’s sub in the finals series. He was dubbed as the super sub after his performance in the elimination final, where he helped put Collingwood to the sword. His 13 disposals and three tackles helped put the icing on the cake for the Power.
Unfortunately he couldn’t have the same effect against Geelong in the semi final. After being subbed into the game at three quarter time he only managed to gain three possessions.
Young started the 2014 season in the same fashion his 2013 season finished – in the sub vest against the Brisbane Lions and West Coast in Rounds 4 and 5.
Young was in the first 21 when Port Adelaide won convincingly over Geelong in Round 6 at Adelaide Oval. He delivered some bone-crunching tackles. Steve Johnson crashed into his strapped shoulder at one stage which saw Young leave the ground for treatment. But he was back onto the field in no time. He finished the night with 15 disposals and a score of 1.1. He missed an opportunity to get a second goal when he shanked a kick from the goal square.
Last weekend he finished in Port’s best as the likes of Travis Boak and Ebert had quiet games.
Aaron Young will look to improve on last week’s form of 18 touches – an equal career high – and five clearances.
If the young midfielder can continue his form, he may cement his spot in the Power’s 22.
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