Hawthorn has secured the signature of former AFLW listed defender Tahni Nestor ahead of the 2018 VFLW season.

Nestor, who played three games for Carlton in the competition’s inaugural season, signed with the Hawks last week in a coup for the club as it fields for the first time a women’s side under the Hawthorn name.

Hawthorn Head of Special Projects Rob McCartney said the Hawks were thrilled to have secured Nestor.

“We’re really excited… she’s a composed defender with neat kicking skills," McCartney said.

"We’re looking to really challenge the opposition the way we move the ball in season 2018 and we think that Tahni will add a lot of drive for us off half back."

Originally from Ballarat club Redan – the same club triple-premiership Hawk and current vice-captain Isaac Smith was recruited from - Nestor’s AFLW experience is set to see her provide the Hawks with a wealth of experience and leadership both on and off the field.

“All that experience is invaluable to a group like ours that is really striving to be a bench mark in the VFLW,” McCartney said.

“What we’ve seen with her too is that she’s a leader, she’s only been in our environment a short time but she’s a really considered and well-spoken young lady and is able to motive and drive others but also has her own drive to get back into the AFLW space.”

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