SHE MIGHT be one of the youngest players in the NAB AFL Women’s competition, but Tayla Thorn has a big goal. 

Thorn, 18, is one of the Crows’ nine Darwin-based players. Apart from excelling in football, she wants to "give back to the community".  

"I want to be a role model," Thorn said.

"I don’t want to just be a role model to indigenous kids, but … to everyone.

"That’s the sort of legacy I want to leave behind."

Thorn grew up in Humpty Doo, about 40km south-east of Darwin in a large family – she has 17 sisters. As a child she played football with her cousins, including Geelong midfielder Nakia Cockatoo. 

The ruck/defender was selected with pick No.90 in the NAB AFL Women’s draft after captaining the Northern Territory’s under-18 representative team last year in the AFL youth girls’ national championships in Melbourne. 

Thorn has played four games for the Crows, with her defensive pressure outstanding – she has averaged 4.3 tackles a game.

"My physicality is a big part of playing footy," she said.

"I love the big hits, I love the tackles, I love the pushing and shoving and not only that, I love kicking goals."