TOUGH-as-teakutility Neville Jetta says his return to the highest level last round – after beingdelisted at the end of last season and then redrafted as a rookie – “was a goodreward for effort”.

The24-year-old played his first match of the 2014 season against the Gold CoastSuns at the MCG last Sunday and will line-up again when the Demons host theSydney Swans at the ‘G this Saturday night.

ForJetta, it was testament to his character that he was able to bounce back andplay his 42^nd AFL match last round, after five testing seasons,which has been dogged by several injuries.

Butthe versatile small is feeling good about his football – and determined to makeevery post a winner – now that he has the opportunity to spend the rest of theseason on the senior list, given Jack Trengove’s injury.

Theformer co-captain will miss the rest of the 2014 season with a foot injury andhas been placed on the long-term injury list, meaning Jetta has come up ontothe senior list as Trengove’s replacement.

“Thefirst six games [of the year] with Casey helped me with my confidence within mybody and my mind,” he said.

 “I’m trying to go again this week againstSydney – they’re going to be a tough side, so I want to keep putting togethergood performances and keep putting my hand up for selection. That’s all I’vebeen thinking about at the moment and the consistency that I’ve never been ableto get in the past.”

ButJetta said his first match back in the AFL last week took some acclimatisation.

“Iwas like a chook with its head cut off in the first half, but I settled down abit in the second half and got my hands on the footy a bit,” he said.

“Thepace of the game hits you straight away and you can never be ready for it.

“Youcan play as many VFL games as you can, but the intensity – you’ve got to beready for it. It definitely got me in the first quarter, but I got back into itand felt pretty comfortable in the last quarter.”

Jettasaid he set a specific plan to relaunch his career at the end of the 2013season.

“Thecoaches wanted me fitter, so I sat down with the fitness staff and the linecoaches about how I should go about that,” he said.

“Idefinitely feel pretty good in my footy, but also good in the extra fitnessstuff I’ve done in between training sessions, so I thank the fitness staff andeveryone else helping me out. I did some extra running sessions and boxingsessions.

“Itwas just great to get that reward [to be elevated and play], but that was theeasy bit and now it’s about being consistent and playing my role for the team.”

Jetta,who was originally drafted from Swan Districts at No.51 in the 2008 NAB AFLDraft, said being selected at No.50 in last November’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft puthis football future into perspective.

“Theclub was weighing up whether to keep me or not, so it was a career changingmoment, because it put a lot of stuff into perspective and showed what I neededto do to get better and to be a good player,” he said.

“Ijust put my head down and bum up and worked a lot harder than what I’ve been.”

Italso meant Jetta simply focused on what he could control, which was playingstrong football at Casey. Now, Jetta believes he is “definitely” playing thebest football of his career and his body is in the best shape it’s been atMelbourne.

“I’vegot a lot of confidence in my body at the moment – having gone through the pre-seasonwithout any niggles,” he said.

“It’sgiven me the confidence that I’m not going to break down or something’s goingto pop up, which is going to stop me playing my best footy.

“I’mdefinitely playing my best footy and feeling confident in my body.”

Jetta,who away from the game is also involved in the leadership program at the KorinGamadji Institute, said he was relishing his second opportunity. He also saidcoach Paul Roos had contributed to it.   

“He’sgot everyone on board, which helps individuals believe and play better Ireckon,” he said.

“I’mjust happy to be playing some good footy, so if that means going down forwardand doing my part for the team, then I’m all good.”