AFLW: Jess Wuetschner hails young Brisbane teammates in win over Western Bulldogs
Brisbane Lions star Jess Wuetschner will be out to continue her solid form in front of goal in this weekend’s conference-defining AFLW clash with Geelong.
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Brisbane Lions star Jess Wuetschner will be out to continue her solid form in front of goal in this weekend’s conference-defining AFLW clash with Geelong.
Both sides sit on eight points atop conference B, with the Lions ahead on points differential. A win would provide a boost to Brisbane’s finals aspirations.
Wuetschner’s class inside the forward 50 has been key to the Lions’ form so far.
The 26-year-old is currently second among all AFLW goalscorers, kicking another major against the Western Bulldogs in last weekend’s match to take her season tally to six.
“I think I’m trying to build on each game, bringing different things into my game,” she said.
“My pressure’s certainly one (aspect) that I focus on and it’s getting better with each game … hopefully I can get a few more (goals) on the weekend.”
Despite having four games this season to go on with competition newcomers the Cats, Wuetschner admitted the Lions would still have to do plenty of homework when it comes to their undefeated opposition.
“I’ve seen a little bit of (Geelong’s) games personally, but I think we’ll all be doing our homework because we don’t really know too much about them,” she said.
“They are a new team – there’s a few familiar faces but at the same time there’s probably not a lot that we can go off.”
As for her own team, Wuetschner was impressed with the Lions’ younger players during their 32-point win over Bulldogs.
She said the likes of teenage duo McKenzie Dowrick and Jessy Keefe showed exactly what they were capable of, offsetting their inexperience through sheer football talent.
“There’s a reason that Craig (coach Craig Starcevich) and the team drafted them,” Wuetschner said.
“It’s because they can play and they are ready to be at this level and it’s amazing to see that.
“For us, it’s not just a bunch of 18-year-olds – it’s that they’re getting their first opportunity to play at this level and they’re taking it with both hands.
“So we don’t see (their youth) as an excuse at all.
“We want to see it as a reason to keep winning because they’re good enough to be here.”
Originally published as AFLW: Jess Wuetschner hails young Brisbane teammates in win over Western Bulldogs
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