DEFENDER Neville Jetta says improving his consistency across games is his major focus heading into the 2015 season.
After a breakout 2014, where he cemented a spot in defence and was among Melbourne’s most improved players, Jetta said he hoped increased fitness would help him go to another level this year.
“I’m trying to build on my fitness – I feel like I’ve done that and I’m pretty happy with where my fitness is at the moment,” Jetta said.
“I’m way ahead from where I was this time last year – Roosy put it on me at the start of last year, going into games, he said I wasn’t fit enough.
“So I feel like I’m way ahead now and starting to feel it in games with my voice and direction, whereas before I couldn’t do that, just because I was struggling to breathe, pretty much.
“But now I’m feeling good and just looking forward to the season.”
Delisted at the end of the 2013 season, Jetta was redrafted as a rookie and made the most of his second chance, forcing his way into the side as a defender and playing 16 games.
Having been elevated to the senior list on a two-year contract, Jetta said he was determined to maintain a high standard across all of his games this year.
“[I was disappointed with] some of the games where I didn’t play the standard that I did in other games,” Jetta said.
“So [I’m looking to] really be as consistent as possible across every game that I play.
“I know it’s hard to do but that’s the standard I want to get to.”
With shutdown roles on Adelaide forward Eddie Betts and Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard among Jetta best 2014 performances, the defender said he was keen to add some other big names to his list this year.
“I’ve got a score to settle with a couple of players that got away from me during the year,” he said.
“So I just want to try and get them back and even the score.”