Natasha Prior ( ; born 20 January 1998) is a professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for A-League Women club Newcastle Jets. Born in England and raised in Australia, she plays for the Australia national team.
Prior debuted in the 2017âÂÂ18 W-league season for the Newcastle Jets before transferring to Canberra for the 2018âÂÂ19 season.
In the fifth round of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, Prior clashed heavily with Savannah McCaskill and was stretchered from the field. While the initial hopes that the injury was only a mild concussion, it was later revealed to be more severe than that, and Prior was forced to sit out the remainder of the season. As a result of this concussion, which was her fifth in less than six seasons, Prior made the decision to retire at the age of 21, saying "I didnâÂÂt really want to have dementia at the age of 30," citing an implied pressure to return earlier than recommended from concussion injuries.
Prior returned to football in 2021, signing with Sydney FC.
On 30 September 2023, Prior signed with the Newcastle Jets.
In November 2024, Prior received her first senior call up to the Australian national team. She made her debut in a 1âÂÂ2 loss against Brazil on 1 December, coming on as a substitute at half time.