Jess Wuetschner will return to Lions training tonight for the first time since she was struck by lightning during a workplace incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 27-year-old relived her experience to media earlier this afternoon.
“[I’m] lucky to be alive but also scared by the fact I might not have been here,” Wuetschner said.
“Trying to do my job on the wharf and I just happened to be in storm, holding a metal pole that was hit by lightening and it went up my arms. Next thing I knew I was hunched on the ground.
“As soon as it happened, I was like s*** I just got electrocuted.
“I felt white bolts go up my arm and up the pole as well.
“I can’t really remember too much after that.
“It was a pretty short, brief pain of feeling literally buzzed.”
Wuetschner was discharged from hospital within 12 hours and was immediately cared for by the Club and her mother Karina, who flew up from Tasmania as quickly as she could.
“The support that I’ve been given is overwhelming. I’m really grateful,” she said.
“They’ve told me I don’t have to back at training until I’m ready.”
The star forward, who has booted 26 goals in 23 AFL games, is keen to get back into training and aspires to be in the Round 1 team.
“My first session back kicking a ball so I’m pretty excited about that,” she said.
“I’m a competitive person so I’m hoping to put my hand up for Round 1 but I’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”