Women’s trail blazer inducted into Hall of Fame

The first of five inductees to be inducted into the AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame this month has been announced, with a women’s trail blazer getting her flowers.

AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame inductee Jess Wuetschner celebrates Brisbane’s AFLW grand final win in 2021. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Women’s football trail blazer Jess Wuetschner’s glittering AFLW CV has been recognised after being named as an inductee into AFL Tasmania’s Hall of Fame.

The 32-year-old All Australian and premiership winner, now the Tasmania Devils under-18 coach, is one of five inductees to be officially included at a gala function from February 28.

The small forward won the AFLW premiership with Brisbane Lions in 2021 after defeating Adelaide in the grand final, redemption for losses in the decider in the league’s first two seasons in 2017-18.

She gained All-Australian selection in 2018 and led the Lions’ goalkicking twice, and is the only player to kick multiple goals in consecutive AFLW grand finals.

After six seasons and 38 games, Wuetschner departed Brisbane in 2022 and signed with expansion side Essendon.

Jess Wuetschner with the AFLW Premiership Cup when it toured Tasmania last year. Picture Jonathan Laird

During her Bombers tenure she became the first Tasmanian to play 50 AFLW games, and announced her retired after the 2023 season before joining the Devils.

Before the AFLW began, Wuetschner established herself as one of the more dominant players in Tasmania’s state league history.

Her career began aged 16 with Clarence, and from 2009 to 2013 she won three straight TSLW best and fairest and leading goalkicker awards, four premierships including a player of the match display in 2011, and two team of the year selections.

Jess Wuetschner (right) celebrates a Lions win. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

She relocated to WA in 2014 and won East Fremantle’s goalkicking award three times, while also representing the state in a win over Victoria.

Wuetschner bowed out of football with a final tally of 359 goals from 204 senior club games across 15 years.

She enjoyed immediate success with the Devils, guiding them to a second place finish in the regular season in her maiden season last year.