NEVILLE Jetta paused and looked down at the floor with his brow creased in thought. When he looked up, he announced “privileged”. This was his answer to how he felt after returning from the six day Indigenous Camp and All Stars game in Alice Springs.
 

Despite embarking on his fifth year at the Club, Neville’s no-fuss demeanour often sees him somewhat fly under the radar. But give him the opportunity to talk about his family, love for the Club and indigenous history and you’ll find a man that speaks with deliberation and passion.

The Indigenous Camp was a poignant one for Jetta who had personally made the decision that this was the year to develop his leadership skills by being able to express himself on and off the field.

Forever modest, Jetta set his sights on personal growth while many of the other camp participants had already marked Jetta as someone they could learn from and aspire to be like. At 23, Jetta was one of the older players on the camp and knew he had to step up in workshops and be a positive example like Aaron Davey had been for him.

“Flash was amazing” said Jetta. “Everyone has so much respect for him. When he speaks in the workshops and on the field, everyone listens.”

It was ‘Flash’ who encouraged Jetta and his team mates to take part in the War Cry before the game. While the idea of performing something so emotive if front of a large crowd pushed Jetta out of his comfort zone, he couldn’t have been prouder at the end of it. 

“It was amazing, everyone got goose bumps. Flash got everyone on board so we really wanted to perform it well. ‘Strong, fast, hunting’ are the words that we sing to intimidate the other side and it’s sung in multiple indigenous dialects. We came out and kicked the first four goals of the game and they kicked one so that sums the effect the War Cry had.” said Jetta. 

While ‘Flash’ feels like family, Jetta’s actual cousins Leroy Jetta and Lewis Jetta played alongside Neville for the first time since their childhood, creating a memory that the Jetta family won’t be forgetting in a hurry. Streaming live from their hometowns, all three families watched on, beaming with pride that their sons had been chosen as some of the best indigenous players in the AFL

The All Stars 14.6 (90) defeated Richmond 6.4 (40) in a game that was about more than just football. Wearing the guernsey that many legendary indigenous players had worn before him, Jetta went on to play a game that he was proud of. Coach Michael O'Loughlin instilled confidence in Jetta saying he loves the way that Jetta attacks his footy.

Off the field, a highlight for Jetta were the community visits where he was greeted by a plethora of smiling faces and Melbourne guernseys. Never before had Jetta seen so many Melbourne supporters in the Northern Territory - a result that he attributes to the growing relationship between the Club and the Northern Territory.

“It was great to be able to give back to the community with the boys and just have a good chat to the people. We’re in a privileged position being the AFL so we wanted to particularly get around the kids to show them that they too can make it.  I don’t think any of the kids blinked the whole time, they were that excited! It was awesome to see that the Melbourne Football Club is having a genuine, longer term impact with supporters up there.” said Jetta.

When asked how he feels about the season beginning, Jetta beams that smile of his and says, “I just can’t wait.”