Paul roos’ call that rescued neville jetta’s career

De-listed by Melbourne at the end of 2013, Neville Jetta feared his 41-game AFL career was over. But the speedy defender will play his 100th game when the Demons battle Essendon at Etihad

Stadium on Sunday, adding another chapter to the Bunbury product’s comeback story. The 51st selection overall in the 2008 national draft, Jetta didn’t play more than 16 games in a season

during his first five years as a small forward. The modest return led to Jetta’s de-listing, but he was afforded a lifeline when the club re-drafted him as a rookie. Enter Paul Roos, who

took over as coach in 2014 and decided to move Jetta into defence, where he has thrived ever since. So much so, he was even pursued by other clubs through last year’s free agency period.

Jetta said a 2013 game when he played as a small defender on Western Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus convinced the incoming coach he had more to offer. “He (Roos) saw enough to convince the club to

keep me around,” Jetta said. “He is partly the reason I am still playing AFL footy.” Jetta considered walking away after being taken off the primary list, but decided to give it “another

crack”. “I gave it my all again and it turned out better than I could ever imagine,” he said. The 27-year-old never thought he would reach the 100-game milestone, but was proud to have

served his club for a decade. “At the time the club wasn’t going well and I wasn’t playing good footy because of form and injuries,” he said. “When I was put back on the rookie list, I

thought I would give it one more year and if I got another two or three then so be it. But to play 100 games, I am really proud. I would not want to be anywhere else.” Jetta arrived at the

Demons alongside fellow Bunbury draftee Jamie Bennell, with the pair part of a successful era from the Swan Districts colts sides of 2007 and 2008. > When I was put back on the rookie 

list, I thought I would give it > one more year and if I got another two or three then so be it. But > to play 100 games, I am really proud. I would not want to be > anywhere else.

> Jetta Nine players were drafted from Swans in 2008, but Jetta is one of just four still on an AFL list. “It was good fun to play at Swans and in Bunbury,” he said. “I enjoyed playing

with guys like Jamie (Bennell), Lewis (Jetta) and Michael Walters.” Despite losing their past three games, Jetta believes the Demons aren’t far away from recapturing their best form. “In the

last three weeks we have been close, but just not good enough to get the win,” he said. “We have been in control for periods of time, but just have not got there.” GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM

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