FOR Jessica Jones, becoming an AFLW footballer hasn’t exactly been a lifelong dream. 

In fact, footy hasn’t even been on her radar until recent years, when a friend suggested she might be handy with the Sherrin. 

After an extended stay in London, Jones headed down to train with West Brunswick, eventually being picked up by North Melbourne’s VFLW side. 

Now a Game Changer, Jones can’t believe how quickly her football career has progressed.

“Last season was my first year playing footy,” she said.  

“I started playing at West Brunswick and then went down to North Melbourne for VFLW. 

"My best friend Bridie, she has been telling me for years that I should play and I wanted to start a few years ago but we moved to London – when we got back I promised her I would go and play.” 

Being selected with a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s Draft, Jones felt a variety of emotions that she had been selected after such a short football career. 

“It’s been really exciting: mostly just excitement, nerves, and a bit of relief,” she said. 

“I went into North Melbourne and I was just there to work really hard and have fun. I’m a very competitive person so I can bring that.” 

Outside of footy, Jones is the Head of Strategy and Business Development at a construction company called Balmain. 

Her role includes a plethora of different responsibilities, keeping Jones always on her toes and thinking of new ideas – an asset that will come in handy in her AFLW career.

“There’s a few different parts to it but [it involves] working with our clients, building relationships, new clients, getting in projects," she said. 

"The strategic side is more long term like ‘what are we doing in five years? How does that work? What are our people doing? How are we progressing them and making sure everyone is happy and building culture?’." 

“Catching up with our 'grads' and cadets as well and managing that program and nurturing those guys through that so a bit of everything, but that’s why I like it."

Jones' leadership credentials followed her from the workplace to the football field, being named in North's leadership group despite her football career still being in its infancy.

“I’ve learnt so much from the girls [at North], the team there was amazing,” she said. 

“I think I’ve had a few leadership roles in the past with netball, I was president of clubs and I did a lot of coaching. Then with my work, it’s a mentoring/leadership role there as well, so I just took bits from all of those things and relied on the girls. 

“I was their sounding board really so whatever they wanted, I would make happen or help out with anything.”

As for what she wants to bring to the Blues, Jones hopes players and fans see her as a dedicated, hard-working tough nut that is always willing to put her teammates first. 

“I hope I can contribute in anyway I can,” she said.  

“I’m excited to work really hard and get to know everyone: I can be quite aggressive and competitive, so I’ll probably be body on having fun with the forwards. 

“If you’re going to dive into it, you may as well go into it with the best and the Carlton defenders are known to be the best. I’m so excited to be involved in it and learn from everyone.”