Aaron Young (footballer)
Aaron Young (born 6 December 1992) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was originally drafted by the Port Adelaide Football Club[1] with pick number 36 in the 2010 national draft, having previously played for the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup. He made his debut in round 5, 2012, against Adelaide at Football Park in Showdown XXXII.[2]
| Aaron Young | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Young playing for Gold Coast in August 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Aaron Young | ||
| Date of birth | 6 December 1992 | ||
| Original team(s) | Eastern Ranges (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | No. 36, 2010 national draft | ||
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Gold Coast | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2012–2017 | Port Adelaide | 76 (62) | |
| 2018-2019 | Gold Coast | 24 (21) | |
| Total | 100 (83) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early in his career, Young was used heavily as a substitute player. Already difficult to match up on due to his height and pace, Young would come on as a substitute later in the game and take advantage of his speed and fresh legs. Young started 21 of his first 42 games wearing the green substitute vest, the most starts as substitute for any player.[3] The substitute rule was scrapped in 2016 and that same year Young had a breakout season playing 21 games and kicking 37 goals; one goal less than Port's leading goal kicker Chad Wingard.
Young struggled to get a regular game in 2017, and at the end of that season was traded to the Gold Coast Football Club.[4] Young played 22 games and kicked 20 goals in his first season at the Suns. An injury plagued season in 2019 saw Young delisted. In 2020 Young joined the Aspley Football Club in the NEAFL.[5]
In November 2020, Young signed with SANFL club North Adelaide and has been a standout in the Roosters' midfield.
In 2022, Young won the Magarey Medal as the Best & Fairest player overall in the SANFL. He finished on 23 votes, 1 vote ahead of the next best.
References
- "118 players with multicultural background on AFL lists". World Footy News. 25 June 2012.
- Rucci, Michaelangelo (27 April 2012). "Power opts for Young teenage debutant". AdelaideNow. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- Waterworth, Ben (15 April 2016). "Aaron Young the biggest winner of AFL sub rule scrapping". Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- Gaskin, Lee (19 October 2017). "Young Sun: Gold Coast signs Power forward". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- Webster, Jess (4 December 2019). "Former Gold Coast midfielder Aaron Young lands at Aspley". NEAFL. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
External links
- Aaron Young's profile on the official website of the Gold Coast Football Club
- Aaron Young's playing statistics from AFL Tables