AFL Tasmania is pleased to announce the first of five new inductees to the AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame, a true trailblazer of women’s football, Jessica Wuetschner.
Wuetschner was a prodigious sporting talent in her youth, representing Tasmania in junior hockey and senior cricket whilst still a teenager.
Her esteemed football career commenced as a 16-year-old with Clarence in 2008, playing in matches against Launceston and East Devonport during the earliest days of organised women’s football in Tasmania.
From 2009 to 2013 Wuetschner dominated Tasmanian women’s football, claiming three consecutive TSLW Best & Fairest and leading goalkicker awards, four premierships (including a Best on Ground in 2011) and two Team of the Year selections, both with leadership positions.
Keen to test herself at a higher level, Wuetschner relocated to WA in 2014 to play with East Fremantle, claiming the club’s goalkicking award three times and representing WA in a famous win over Victoria.
When the AFLW competition commenced in 2017, the Brisbane Lions liked what they saw, selecting Wuetschner with Pick 34.
Wuetschner quickly established herself as one of the competition’s earliest stars, topping the Lions goalkicking twice and gaining All-Australian selection in 2018, plus earning extended squad recognition in 2017 and 2019.
She was also one of her side’s best in their unsuccessful 2017 and 2018 Grand Final appearances, booting multiple goals in each decider; as of 2024, Wuetschner remains the only player to kick 2+ goals in multiple AFLW Grand Finals.
During the off-seasons Wuetschner plied her trade with Coorparoo in the QAFLW, winning a Best & Fairest in the club’s 2019 premiership season and selection in three consecutive QAFLW Teams of the Year.
In early 2020, Wuetschner was indirectly struck by lightning while working at the Port of Brisbane.
Her recovery and return to the field were widely applauded, however the incident clearly took its toll, Wuetschner herself being quite open regarding the mental health challenges she endured in the aftermath.
Nevertheless, her incredible resilience was justly rewarded in 2021 when she claimed that elusive AFLW premiership medal as the Lions defeated Adelaide.
After six seasons and 38 games, Wuetschner departed Brisbane in 2022 and signed with expansion side Essendon, making history as the Bombers’ first AFLW goalkicker in their inaugural match against Hawthorn.
She added 17 games to her AFLW tally - becoming the first Tasmanian to reach the 50 AFLW-game milestone - before announcing her retirement at the end of the 2023 season.
Wuetschner bowed out of football with a final tally of 359 goals from 204 senior club games across 15 years, and one of the most decorated footballing resumes of any Tasmanian - male or female - this century.
Post-retirement, Wuetschner looked set to take up an assistant coaching role with Essendon’s VFLW side, however an opportunity presented itself to help develop the next generation of Tasmanian stars, returning home as senior coach of the Tasmania Devils U18 and U16 Girls teams.
She would lead the U18s to a second-place finish in her first season at the helm, as well as adding her experience at national level to the AFLW Academy and Allies programs.
Jess Wuetschner will be honoured alongside her fellow Hall of Fame inductees at AFL Tasmania’s night of nights later this month.
And for the first time since the inaugural Hall of Fame Gala Dinner – Icons Royce Hart, Peter Hudson and Ian Stewart will all be in attendance, offering a special opportunity to talk to the trio in an exciting time for the game in Tasmania.
The night will feature five new inductees, one Icon elevation and the induction of George Town’s legendary team that won eight flags in a row from 2002 – 2009.
The Gala Dinner is taking place on Friday February 28 at My State Bank Arena.
Tickets are available now for $185 each, to book your seat please email events@afltas.com.au