Morgan Johnston and Lauren Motlop are the two latest additions to the VFLW list, with the classy players committing to the club once more.

Johnston has played senior women’s football in the NTFL for Wanderers since the 2013/14 when she donned the Southern Districts strip for two seasons before making the move to Wanderers in the 2015/16 season. She played in the Eagles grand final team who went down to Waratah in the same season. Small in size but with a penetrating kick, Johnston was the 2016 NT Thunder Academy Women’s MVP.

After overcoming injury, she was rewarded with a spot on the inaugural ThunderW list and made her debut in Round 1 against the Darebin Falcons and went on to play six games in the 2018 season.

Motlop comes from a famous footballing family with brothers Shannon, Daniel and Steven all playing at the highest level, and has forged a long football career herself. She played in the Palmerston Magpies premiership team of 2010/11 in the NTFL before crossing to Wanderers in the 2013/14 season. She also played in the losing Eagles grand final team in 2015/16 alongside Johnston.

Motlop made her debut for ThunderW in Round 6 against Carlton and finished with three games in the inaugural season.

ThunderW Head Coach, Heidi Thompson said both players were important to the squad for the 2019 season and she was looking forward to seeing them develop their skills further in the VFLW space.

“Morgan’s most dangerous weapon is her elite kick, which she used effectively time and time again in the NTFL season playing as a rebound defender.

“She can also play as an inside midfielder as she often wins the footy in tight spaces and loves to take the game on with her run and carry,” she said.

Thompson said Motlop’s competitiveness and understanding of the game was a strength of her game.

“Lauren is a utility defender who uses her strong frame effectively to outmuscle opponents and win the ball.

“She can also play as an inside midfielder as she is regularly seen bursting out of a pack giving her team first use in the 2018/2019 NTFL season,” she said.

ThunderW needs you! Sign up for your 2019 NT Thunder membership. Visit www.ntthunder.com.au/membership so that you can support our VFLW and NEAFL teams.

Round 1 of the Swisse Wellness VFLW season is Sunday 12 May against Hawthorn at Box Hill City Oval.