Holding the title as the youngest player in the competition, 18-year-old Lewis Young notched up seven games in his debut season for the Western Bulldogs. 

The Sturt product arrived at the kennel after being taken with the Bulldogs’ third pick in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft. He debuted in Round 17 against Carlton, collecting 21 disposals and nine marks in the Dogs' 20-point win.

Young averaged 13 disposals, five marks and two tackles per contest from his seven games and was nominated for the AFL Players’ Association’s Best First Year Player award in September.

Stat that mattered:

Young was recorded as the 999th player to pull on the jumper for Footscray/Western Bulldogs 

What they said:

“Being able to grow as a player and a person was really important for me.

“Obviously having moved over from Adelaide was a big step but I feel like I’ve learnt a lot and enjoyed every second.

“To debut on the MCG against Carlton, one of the bigger clubs going around, and to get a win as well, it was an unbelievable feeling.”

- Lewis Young, September 2017