Adelaide Crows premiership player Jasmyn Hewett will play for the Queenants this season

An AFLW premiership hero will return to Darwin after a new career pathway sidelined her elite playing ambitions.

With a pinch of luck, AFLW premiership player and returning PINT footballer Jasmyn Hewett will be living two dreams next year.

Hewett, 29, ticked a major box in her sporting life in April when the Crows won their third premiership.

“I rode that high as long as I possibly could,” she said.

However, with a premiership medal hanging from her neck, in the back of her mind, a secondary vision was starting to take shape which would eventually trump her footy aspirations.

In fact, the seed had been planted during her initial move to the Territory for the 2020-21 season – after AFLW stints at the Crows and the Gold Coast Suns – where she pulled off a rare triple: the coveted Gwynne Medal, and best on ground in a Queenants premiership over Darwin Buffettes.

While playing under coach Rick Nolan, an aviation rescue firefighter, Hewett suddenly discovered a new career pathway.

Jasmyn Hewett with Chelsea Randall at training during season six of the AFLW. Picture: Adelaide Crows.

“I’ve always wanted to do (firefighting), it’s just always been a matter of timing,” Hewett said, whose father and uncle have both served with the CFS back in regional South Australia.

“I’ve just never been able to actually pursue it.

“As soon as I moved to Darwin and found out (aviation fire rescue) was a thing that females could do, a bit like footy, I was all for it.

“I’d never heard about it until I moved to Darwin. I’d never seen it advertised anywhere.”

So in January this year, Hewett applied to complete the “full on” 15-week training course at Tullamarine Airport from August.

However, she was completely unaware the seventh season of AFLW would eventually be moved back to start about the same time.

Jasmyn Hewett with the 2022 premiership cup. Picture: Supplied.

“It was good and bad for me as it’s that realisation that I’ll have to give up one or the other,” she said.

“I was a bit sad … in my plans it was never going to be the case.”

Which obviously left Hewett with a difficult choice to make.

“Unfortunately having to give up professional football in the meantime is just that small side effect,” Hewett said, who is five weeks into her training.

“My number one priority is getting through the course, it’s quite hectic.

“In the long run I think it’s going to be beneficial to have a career I can have for the rest of my life.

“The footy window is only quite small … it’s important that I set myself up for a long time while I’m still capable.”

She hoped in 2023 she could pursue both passions back in South Australia, estimating she had about four years left at the elite level.

“If there was a way to make it work, most certainly,” she said.

Hewett was also best on ground in the 2020-21 grand final. Picture: Che Chorley

“I’ve had conversations with the Crows and they’re still keen to have me on board, in what capacity I’m not sure.

“It has to work around a career now I suppose. It’s all up in the air at the moment.

“It’s disappointing but at the end of the day I’m still happy with my decision.”

A bit like her first tentative steps into the world of football, the course is historically dominated by men: “I wouldn’t say it’s uncommon, but not a lot of girls apply. I’m one of two girls in 24.”

With 15 weeks’ of training due to finish on December 16, Hewett will start her new job in Darwin as soon as she can physically jet up north.

However, with a few days off coming up because of the Melbourne Cup, she hoped to play her first game back in the green and yellow at the end of the month.

“The girls at PINT, I absolutely love them,” she said.

“It will work around my new role at the fire station. I’m stoked, I can’t wait.”