Jess Thwaites, 16, is establishing herself in the Blues’ attacking end, playing a key role alongside experienced teammate Amy Wormald.

She shot 25 of the Blues’ 54 goals in their thrilling two-goal win over South Warrnambool on Saturday to get them within percentage of the top five.

The Emmanuel College student hopes she can continue that form when the Blues host bottom-placed Portland at Reid Oval in round 10.

Thwaites joined Warrnambool in 2017 after stints with now defunct Warrnambool and District league club Deakin University Sharks and Hampden league junior club Hawks.

“A few of the coaches from Deakin moved to Warrnambool,” she said of her decision to join the Blues.

“I played a half (in open grade) last year at the end of the season but I made the team this year.”

Thwaites also has strong family ties at the Blues. Her dad Jason is the current netball president.

Her grandfather Norm Thwaites played in a Warrnambool football premiership in 1966 and her great-grandmother Isabel Brown is a club life member.