Western Bulldogs young gun Jess Fitzgerald has been nominated for the 2021 AFLW Rising Star award, following a standout performance in Friday night’s round two win over Carlton.
The 18-year-old midfielder was all class in just her second game at AFLW level, notching up 15 disposals, four marks, six inside 50s and six intercept marks.
She also kicked her first career goal to top off her first win in the red, white and blue.
Fitzgerald was the Club’s first selection in the 2020 national draft, taken with pick number two overall.
Touted as a composed and elite ball-user with great footy IQ, she has seamlessly slotted into the Bulldogs’ on-ball brigade.
Before arriving at the Kennel, Fitzgerald was a product of the Northern Knights and named best-on-ground as a bottom-ager in the 2019 NAB League Girls’ premiership.
Last year, she averaged 18.7 disposals, five clearances and 3.7 tackles from three games before the season was called off.
She spent her junior footy days at St Marys Greensborough.
Fitzgerald becomes the Bulldogs’ first Rising Star nominee this season.
Players are eligible for the NAB AFLW Rising Star if they are 21 years and under as of January 1, 2021 and have not been previously nominated.
Two players will be nominated per home and away round of the NAB AFLW season.
