PORT ADELAIDE draftee Georgie Jaques is one of the busiest and most impressive 19-year-olds you’ll come across.  

As a young Ngaanyatjarra/Pitjantjatjara woman, she has an inspiring connection and passion for her community, complemented by maturity well beyond her years. 

Currently studying social work at university, Georgie lights up when she talks about her future career goals – she has a deep desire to work among her community, to be involved in policy development and ultimately, to enact long-term social change for First Nations people. 

“I’d like to work among my own community and my own people,” she said. 

“I see it as a way of being able to empower them as individuals and empower the community but also (for me to keep) learning. I'm interested in youth work and other fields of practice like child protection, which has a close place in my heart.  

“One thing I've learned about social work is it's not just one-on-one work, it’s also about changing policy and making social change…social work is very much (about) social justice and human rights and that’s what I feel like I’m very passionate about. 

“To be able to do that from a state level, community level or even federal level would be really cool. I want to be a part of advocating for people and for social change.” 

The 177-centimetre developing ruck is splitting her time between study, work and football, with the latter becoming a serious focus in 2023.  

Since being drafted to Port Adelaide in April, Georgie will carry on a family tradition – her dad Danny rucked for Port Adelaide in the SANFL in the late 90s, even winning a flag with the Magpies. 

“Before I moved here, dad was talking about his pathway in the SANFL, his experiences and memories and all that kind of stuff that happened to him when he was here,” Georgie said. 

“I guess to have a kid be able to be in the SANFL and then to go into the AFL was special (for him) and it's kind of like his legacy is here and he gets to re-live the parts of the club he loved, but through me. Footy definitely runs through the family.” 

Danny surprised Georgie on draft night, showing up at Norwood Football Club where his daughter watched her name be called as Port Adelaide’s third pick, surrounded by her SANFL teammates. 

“He was proud, and when he rocked up on draft night, I didn’t know he was coming,” Georgie said. 

“I think that made it all the more special for him because he got to surprise me, and he got to be there to celebrate it with me, so that was probably the best part.” 

Danny travelled from Canberra to be by Georgie’s side, just four months after Georgie made the same trip, relocating to South Australia to give football a proper shot. 

“Moving here to play SANFL was something that has helped me develop,” Georgie said. 

“Canberra doesn’t have a league like the SANFL so it’s just club footy. One thing I noticed is you can be the best in Canberra but then coming here, you’re like a little fish in a big ocean and it’s just another level. The standard and quality of players has been really good for my development.” 

She praised Norwood Football Club for supporting her to form positive habits and behaviours, which ultimately helped her into the AFLW, in her second year of nominating for the draft. 

“In my short time at Norwood, it definitely taught me a lot of value-based things like being accountable for your own actions and your time outside of the footy field,” she said. 

“I think that's what (head coach) Brad Snell and the leadership team has really encouraged, so that’s a big thing I’ll take into the AFLW with Port is to be able to hold myself accountable.” 

Despite being born in Cootamundra, a small town approximately two hours outside of Canberra, Georgie says the move to Adelaide has also helped her reconnect with her family roots. 

“Living here makes it a lot easier to connect with people who are a part of my family line,” she said. 

“Mum's Indigenous, she's a proud Indigenous woman. My grandfather's people are the Ngaanyatjarra people and Pitjantjatjara people – they’re from parts of the APY and NPY Lands, closer to Adelaide than to Canberra.  

“Mum, dad and my little sister are all in Canberra (but my parents) used to live in Adelaide. My mum, this is her stomping ground, she knows everyone in Adelaide and dad obviously played football here.  

“I think I've always worn my Indigenous culture on my sleeve and always been able to express I'm Indigenous and these are my people…I can know more of my family now I’m closer and can see them more.” 

Alongside football and study, Georgie works for non-profit organisation Head Start Homes, where she supports vulnerable families to break into the housing market. 

“We work with single parent families, First Nations people and people with disabilities to support them in achieving their home ownership dream so they can move out of social housing or the rental market and free up space for another family to move in,” Georgie said. 

“Right now, there's a housing crisis. I'm part of the empowerment and success team, where we support families on their homeownership journey.” 

Radiating patience and kindness, Georgie’s choice of work and study feels like an obvious choice for the new Power recruit. 

Now, just over two weeks into her first AFLW pre-season, Georgie is turning her attention to making the most of her opportunity at Port Adelaide. 

“I had a bit of imposter syndrome at the start,” she said. 

“I was like ‘do I even deserve this?’ It’s come so quickly but I’m excited to see where it goes.  

“This year, I felt like if I was drafted, it would be because they want to develop me, they're bringing me in to learn, to make mistakes and to improve. (Knowing I didn’t have to be the best straight away) took a lot of anxiety off. 

“I’m really excited to be coached under Lauren (Arnell) and the coaching team and the senior players. I'll probably be very apologetic at training but that's how I’m feeling right now. I just want to be able to come and develop, learn and take all that knowledge in.”