Lewis Jetta has matured into a leader at West Coast after trade from Sydney in 2015
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says Lewis Jetta is one of his wisest heads and a genuine team leader. It’s a world away from the care-free player he was when Sydney won the 2012 premiership.
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WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says Lewis Jetta is one of his wisest heads and a genuine team leader.
It’s a world away from player he was at Sydney when he helped the Swans to the most unlikely of premierships in 2012.
Back then he played like someone without a care in the world and with style and speed literally nobody could compete with.
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His 80-metre run and goal against Collingwood in the preliminary final and his sprint away from Cyril Rioli in the Grand Final are etched in the memories of the Sydney faithful.
The 2018 version still has some of those traits but the 29-year-old has added a maturity and leadership to his bag of tricks.
It’s a transformation that Simpson didn’t see coming but one that he’s welcomed with open arms.
“On field he’s been great but off field he’s turned into a real man,” Simpson told The Saturday Telegraph.
“He has a young family and he’s called uncle Jetts by the indigenous boys. They really look up to him and he’s a really deep thinker and a leader. When I got him over I wasn’t thinking about his leadership but he’s grown into it.”
After being traded for Callum Sinclair, Jetta faced his football mortality when he played just 27 games in his first two years in Perth. Like Lachie Whitfield a move to defence proved to be a masterstroke.
“It took till this year to find him a spot,” Simpson said.
“The game moved past him what he was doing as a wingman. I still think he can play that role but rather than try to make him do that we’ve changed his position, now he’s a half-back.”
Goals are rare now but if Jetta drifts forward look out for an encore performance of the Ronaldo celebration.
“If I do get a chance the Ronaldo will probably get a run,” Jetta said.
“I’m down the backline now but if I can sneak down I’ll give it a go. I don’t run as much with the ball now but I’ve still got my long kick.”
Also in the back of Jetta’s mind is the Swans 2014 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn.
“I always think about that one,” Jetta said.
“One thing I learned from 2014 was not to run into ruckmen. I was KO'd by Ben McEvoy and I woke up on the bench. I think about 2012 as well and now I’ve got another chance. I live in the present and I’m ready to go.”
If West Coast beat the Magpies Jetta will become just the 30th player in the game’s history to win premierships at two clubs.
One of the most recent to achieve the feat was AFL commissioner Jason Ball who won his first flag with the Eagles in 1994 and then finished with the Swans in 2005.
The 1994 Grand Final was his first game at the MCG and the 2005 decider was his last.