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AFL Eagle Jetta still learning the ropes

3 minute read

The lethal boot of Lewis Jetta is set to play a crucial role in West Coast's premiership charge, starting with Thursday's elimination final against Essendon.

JEREMY MCGOVERN of the Eagles looks on during the AFL First Elimination Final match between Port Adelaide Power and West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
JEREMY MCGOVERN of the Eagles looks on during the AFL First Elimination Final match between Port Adelaide Power and West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Racing and Sports

He's the man with the Super Boot, but West Coast veteran Lewis Jetta feels like he's still learning the ropes.

Jetta established himself as a star goalsneak and wingman during his six seasons with Sydney, but he initially struggled at West Coast after arriving at the end of 2015.

The 30-year-old was in and out of the side during his first two seasons at the Eagles, but he has been a revelation since making a full-time switch to defence last year.

While the marking prowess of Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass are the cornerstone of West Coast's defensive set-up, Jetta's accurate, piercing kicks have become a vital attacking weapon.

But Jetta, who kicked 45 goals for the Swans in 2012, feels like he is still an apprentice in many ways.

"I'm still learning how to play in the backline," Jetta said ahead of Thursday night's elimination final against Essendon.

"This is basically my second year in the backline. Previous years I was on the wing or half forward.

"When I'm at training, I work on my defence as much as possible. I always know my offence is there, but my defence is what I need to work on."

What sets Jetta apart is he often chooses high-risk, high-reward options with his kicks.

Only a player with a sublime accuracy would be able to regularly pull off what Jetta does, and it's something that requires more than just natural skill.

"I think I do more kicking work than others at training," Jetta said.

"A couple of times they say to me, 'We've got to go home'.

"I don't even think about a lot of my kicking during games, purely because I'm in here four or five times a week for an hour just kicking balls at the nets trying to hit targets.

"So when it comes to games, I don't even think about mistakes, I just try to hit the target."

West Coast's hopes of defending their flag took a major hit when their 38-point loss to Hawthorn relegated them to fifth on the table.

It means West Coast will only have one game at home during the finals, and won't have the safety net of a double chance.

Jetta said the disappointment of the loss to Hawthorn had well and truly faded.

"There's 10 other teams that are getting ready to plan holidays and we're still trying to fight to get into the grand final," Jetta said.

"I'm excited we're in finals no matter what position we're in."

In a positive sign for the Eagles, ruckman Nic Naitanui is on track to return against the Bombers after making it through a testing training session on Friday.

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