profession
AFLW Player
mob
Noongar, Yamatji, Kija
Hometown
Perth, WA
With a big love of sport and fitness from a young age, Mikayla Morrison began playing in the AFL at the age of 12. She’s now a young, rising Aussie rules star who turned her passion into a career. Mikayla now plays for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL Women's league.
One piece of advice for the next generation of Warriors?
To take every single opportunity with both hands and get rid of the “shame factor” when stepping out of your comfort zone. You are not going to be judged for following whatever your dream is.
What does ‘Warrior’ mean to you?
Someone who is mentally strong and has or is willing to overcome any challenge that comes their way. A Warrior is brave and will fight for what they believe in.
What challenges did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
Going into my third season of AFLW at Fremantle Dockers, I’ve had to overcome a few setbacks including being hospitalised in my first year with an abscess on my appendix, causing me to have a drain in my stomach for six weeks. I wasn’t able to debut the whole season as I was underweight and not fit enough in time. In my second year, I debuted in Melbourne and after playing four games I tore my ACL and meniscus at training on my 20th birthday. This injury impacted me a lot as I had to undergo surgery for the first time and then complete 12 months of rehab before returning to play. I am still currently in rehab with eight months to go. It has been draining mentally, emotionally and physically at times, but having the support around me from my family, friends, teammates and club has pushed me through and I have achieved many goals along the way.
What’s your plan for the future? / Where do you want to be heading?
My plans for the future involve being a full-time athlete for the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team. At the moment, we are only part-time athletes, but each year we get closer and closer to being full-time professional athletes. I want to be a one-club player for my whole career and to be an inspirational leader within my club, the AFLW and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. After I retire from the AFL, I would like to go back to uni and go into the medical field or Indigenous youth work, I’ve not decided yet.