It didn’t take long for VU Whitten Oval to feel like home for AFLW draftee Jess Fitzgerald.

Just under two months on from a ‘hectic’ draft day, the former Northern Knight has been settling into pre-season training while juggling Year 12 commitments. 

She has also been reunited with some familiar faces in fellow Knights teammates Gabby Newton, Nell Morris-Dalton and Brit Gutknecht, and more recently with coach Marcus Abney-Hastings.

“I wasn’t expecting to go that high (at Pick 2), so I wasn’t really prepared for my name to be called out,” the 18-year-old told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“My family were so stoked – Gabby and her family got on Facetime straight away.

“It’s definitely nice to have (some) familiar faces, but also having Marcus now onboard is pretty awesome as well, just to have another coach that you have a really good relationship with. 

“I’m just so happy to be here.” 

Fitzgerald admitted she has noticed a difference in training intensity compared to in the intensity, but hasn’t let that or the COVID-19 protocols affect her.

“It’s definitely a step-up – (but) I don’t think any of us girls have let the COVID-19 situation interfere with our pre-season training,” she said.

“Everyone’s just getting stuck into it, which is really exciting.

“I’ve already bonded well with a lot of the girls as well, which has been handy.

“I already feel very much at home here.”

The AFLW Bulldogs will train up until December 19, before breaking for Christmas and the New Year.