Hawthorn has signed talented Eastern Ranges ruck/ forward Jess Vukic as part of the AFLW Expansion U18 Talent Pathway Pre-Signing Period.

The 18-year-old arrives at the Hawks off the back of a stellar Coates Talent League Girls campaign with the Eastern Ranges as the most dominant ruck in the competition.

She went on to make the Coates Talent League Team of the Year as the starting ruck, alongside fellow Hawks recruit and Ranges teammate Laura Stone.

Like Stone, Vukic also suited up on two occasions for Box Hill in 2023, averaging 15 hit-outs and nine disposals. 

The star ruck/ forward was an AFLW Academy product and represented Vic Metro in the U18 National Championships in both 2022 and 2023.

Hawthorn AFLW List Manager Mitchell Cashion was excited to see Vukic’s development in the brown and gold.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jess to the Hawthorn family,” Cashion said.

“With Tamara Luke and Tegan Cunningham announcing their retirements and Lucy Wales emerging in her own right, Jess was a natural fit for our developing team.

“Jess has impressed us with her strength, ferocity and willingness to compete.

“We look forward to seeing what she can do in the brown and gold over years to come.” 

Hawthorn is eligible to sign one more player in the AFL’s expansion club pre-signing period, having secured the signatures of Stone and Vukic already.

The AFLW Expansion U18 Talent Pathway Pre-Signing Period ends on Friday 17 November.