AFLW
Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw
From pick 61 to All-Australian — St Kilda’s spearhead brings cultural pride, aerial power and a story built for campaigns.
From pick 61 to All-Australian — St Kilda’s spearhead brings cultural pride, aerial power and a story built for campaigns.
Jesse fits campaigns that need story and standing in equal measure.
An All-Australian, premiership player and AFLW leading goalkicker, she carries one of the code’s most distinctive narratives — a Māori athlete who crossed from state netball at pick 61 and became the focal point of St Kilda’s forward line, reclaiming her birth name, Tawhiao-Wardlaw, along the way. Contracted to the end of 2027 and coming off a season that included the biggest comeback in AFLW history, she suits diversity and inclusion programs, cultural campaigns, brands with New Zealand–Australia footprints, and partners who want authenticity — values-led, articulate and unmistakably herself.
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Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw is a dynamic key forward and ruck whose journey from netballer to premiership-winning AFLW footballer has made her one of the most compelling athletes in women’s sport. Born in Ashburton, New Zealand and of Māori heritage, she moved to Brisbane with her family at age four and began cross-coding into Australian rules after making her mark in netball. In 2026 she reverted to her birth name, Tawhiao-Wardlaw, in honour of her Māori heritage — and lives by a motto of leaving fear behind.
She debuted with the Brisbane Lions in 2019, winning the club’s inaugural Best First-Year Player award and earning a Rising Star nomination in 2020. Her strong marking, long kicking and versatility across forward and ruck helped the Lions win the 2021 AFLW premiership, and in Season 7 (2022) she was named All-Australian and won the AFLW Leading Goalkicker Award with 19 goals — equalling the record for a home-and-away season. Moving to St Kilda in 2023 in the biggest trade in AFLW history, she became the focal point of the Saints’ forward line: runner-up in the 2024 Best & Fairest, the club’s leading goalkicker in consecutive seasons, and joint Sainter of the Year.
In 2025 she played every game and drove St Kilda to its first-ever finals series — kicking three final-quarter goals to complete the biggest comeback in AFLW history — before re-signing through to the end of 2027. Her ninth AFLW campaign begins in August 2026.
Off the field, Jesse is passionate about cultural representation, sustainability and community connection. She plays the drums, embraces challenges and values organisations that align with her Māori roots, her love of animals (especially dogs) and her commitment to diversity and environmental stewardship. Her authenticity and openness make her a relatable role model, well suited to speaking engagements, ambassador roles and commercial partnerships that share her values.
Re-signed with St Kilda to the end of 2027 · publicly reclaimed her birth name, Tawhiao-Wardlaw
Played all 13 games as St Kilda reached its first-ever AFLW finals · three final-quarter goals to complete the biggest comeback in AFLW history · 3rd in the Best & Fairest · leading goalkicker for a second straight season
St Kilda Best & Fairest runner-up · club leading goalkicker · joint Sainter of the Year · All-Australian squad
Joined St Kilda in the biggest trade in AFLW history (five clubs, seven players)
All-Australian (Season 7) · AFLW Leading Goalkicker Award with 19 goals, equalling the home-and-away season record
AFLW premiership: started in Brisbane’s grand final win over Adelaide
AFLW Rising Star nomination · Brisbane’s leading goalkicker · All-Australian squad
AFLW debut · Brisbane’s inaugural Best First-Year Player award
Drafted at pick 61 via the Lions Academy, after representing Queensland in under-age netball
St Kilda — AFLW
A portfolio of durable partnerships — not one-post placements.
Jesse speaks on cultural identity, resilience and reinvention — reclaiming her name, backing herself from pick 61, and crossing codes to lead a league.
Reclaiming her name, and what heritage means in elite sport.
The late pick who led the league.
State netballer to AFLW spearhead.
Formats: conference keynote · panels & Q&A · school and sporting-org programs · brand events and appearances
Tell us about your campaign, event or partnership.
Please note: we’re unable to assist with autograph, personal message or fan requests.
