It’s been a challenging year for the Western Jets’ Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, however things are looking promising in the lead up to the AFLW draft.
The midfielder who can double as a key forward is an extremely exciting prospect, with undoubtable athleticism and talent.
The year 11 student said she is enjoying this exciting time in her life and trying her best to embrace what is being thrown at her.
“I’m very nervous but I’m also very excited,” she said.
“I’ve just been trying to take it all in and take a deep breath and actually enjoy what’s happening because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Weston-Turner unfortunately suffered a broken wrist after just two games of the Talent League season which saw her miss the next 12 weeks of footy.
“At that time I felt really stressed because I wasn’t sure what would happen because clubs hadn’t seen much of my footy,” she said.
“They would go off last year a little bit but over summer I really improved on everything that I wanted to and I was really keen.
“I felt super fit going into the season and then to have that happen kind of felt like a knife in the back.
“But I was just going to focus on what I can do, and that was running, what I can’t do is play footy but I can still sit on the sidelines, I can learn from my games, I can do vision with my coaches.
“I didn’t want to let my negative energy impact the team… I always wanted to stay in a happy mood and I think that definitely helped.”
Weston-Turner didn’t miss a beat upon her return to the field, kicking two goals and having 19 touches on her Jets return and then kicking 1.4 for Vic Metro as well as being named amongst the best players.
Being a professional footballer has always been the dream for Weston-Turner, from playing juniors in a team full of boys, believing she would grow up to play in the men’s competition, to women’s pathways opening up and her taking full advantage of them.
“To be in a professional environment where I get to live out my dream, and eventually and hopefully work full-time just doing it, being a professional athlete would mean the absolute world to me,” she said.
“Living out my childhood dream, which my family and friends are all so supportive of and just want the best for me.”
Harper Sercombe
