Former AFLW star Jess Wuetschner returns home to lead Tasmania Devils girls’ program

While she may be stepping into her first role as head coach, Jess Wuetschner is confident she’s the right person to lead the Tasmania Devils girls program.

New Tasmania Devils Girls Head Coach Jess Wuetschner at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Supplied.

While she admits it’s an opportunity that’s come sooner than expected, new Tasmania Devils girls head coach Jess Wuetschner is confident she’s the right person for the job.

The recently retired former Brisbane and Essendon AFLW star was announced as Jodie Clifford’s replacement on Tuesday and will work with Devils program head coach Jeromey Webberley to foster the next generation of Tasmanian talent.

Wuetschner retired from AFLW at the end of the 2023 season. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Wuetschner, who enters the role on a two-year deal, said that while stepping into coach her own team has come quicker than she expected, she is confident she can continue to build on the success the program had under Clifford’s reign.

“I think I’m ready,” she said.

“I had conversations with Damian (Gill – Head of AFL Tasmania) about that, not having a huge amount of coaching experience in an official capacity, but just the work I’ve been able to do with the younger players throughout my career on a consistent basis I thought I had that side of things sorted and he assured me that I would have enough support around me to grow as a coach.

“It probably wasn’t something I was looking at for another 12 months post doing some VFLW assistant coaching but when opportunities like this come towards you (you have to take them).

“They don’t come along all the time. Knowing I have a lot of support around me and people I can lean on makes me really confident I can step up and do a really good job.”

Nicola Barr of the Giants is tackled by Jess Wuetschner of the Lions during the round 4 AFLW match between the Brisbane Lions and the GWS Giants at Hickey Park in Brisbane, Sunday, March 1, 2020.

An AFLW premiership player, two time club leading goal kicker and 2018 all-Australian, Wuetschner said that while she’s still in the process of working out her coaching ‘identity’, creating a safe and enjoyable space for the players was high on her priority list.

“I just love footy and I love being able to teach the game,” she said.

“I certainly know a big part of it will be the connection with the group and making it an enjoyable experience for all the girls that are involved, not just those that are going to head off on AFLW careers. I want to make it a really fun environment where they can come in and be themselves and learn as much as they want to learn. I’ll give them every resource I can to ensure they can be the best players and people that they can be.”