THE CARLTON Football Club is pleased to announce Taylor Ortlepp has signed with the Game Changers as a rookie signing ahead of season 7.

Ortlepp has a background in basketball as a Point Guard having represented Australia in the U16 Oceania Championships in 2013 and the U17 World Championships in 2014 before signing with the Adelaide Lightning in 2015.

The 24-year-old then headed to the United States to play for Boston College before returning home for a second season with the Lightning in 2020. She is currently competing in the NBA1 West competition for the Rockingham Flames.

Ortlepp crossed paths with current Game Changers Jess Good and Kerryn Peterson while at the Lightning and now joins them again at the Blues.

“I’m excited to start a new chapter in my professional athletic career with Carlton,” Ortlepp said.

“The Club has such a prominent place in the history of AFLW and their football program provides fantastic support to developing players such as myself.

“I can’t wait to get started and be part of something special with the Game Changers.”

Carlton General Manager of Women’s Football Brett Munro says Ortlepp impressed from the moment she walked through the doors at IKON Park.

“Taylor visited the Club and we were immediately impressed by her willingness to get involved in all areas of the program,” Munro said.

“She will work closely with our Head of AFLW Development Kade Simpson to build her strength and skills during pre-season.

“We signed Jess Good straight from the WNBL last season and her progression was swift, playing eight games in her first season, so we are confident that Taylor can follow in her footsteps.

“We look forward to working with Taylor and developing her into an elite footballer over the next two seasons.”