“Not really,” Jetta told melbournefc.com.au.
After all, the 22 year-old had endured almost 12 months of recovery and rehabilitation, following shoulder surgery at the end of the 2011 season and a pre-season ankle injury, which forced him to miss the opening 13 rounds of 2012.
“I only did half the pre-season and once I got back from my shoulder, I played my first game at Casey, and then I was ready for a big year. But my first game back, I did my ankle,” he said.
“I knew I had to go through all that hard work again, and I had doubts in my mind.
“I knew I was going to get back this year, but whether I could get back to where I am now, was the thing that really played on my mind.”
Still, Jetta’s persistence and character shone through.
He played the first of his three games for Casey at the end of June, before returning for his first AFL match this season against Port Adelaide in Darwin in round 17.
Jetta has since played three of the past four matches, only missing Melbourne’s round 19 win against Gold Coast Suns at the MCG due to a one week suspension.
Having overcome a “mentally challenging” period, Jetta is now playing with a point to prove.
“I’ve missed a heap of games. It’s been so long, and it’s been very frustrating sitting on the sidelines,” he said.
“A lot of things go through your head, whether you can still match it, and what your fitness is going to be like when you get back.
“I would’ve loved to have played, but once I got back playing in the VFL, it all happened pretty quickly, getting back in the senior side. So I’m enjoying it now.”
Having already developed a reputation for putting his body on the line and producing ‘one percenter’ actions in matches, Jetta lived up to this last round against St Kilda.
Late in the match, Jetta went back with the flight of the ball and got crunched in a contest. But his effort helped Melbourne win possession, and resulted in one of Sam Blease’s five goals for the match.
“From a young age, I thought defence first and then offence,” he said.
“When I go for a tackle or run with the flight, like [I did] last weekend … once I’m out there, I give 100 per cent and 100 per cent for my team.
“I haven’t really done anything like that before, but it was great to see my teammates get around me, and it was great the crowd loved it. It gave me a lot of confidence that I could do a lot more stuff like that.”
Jetta, who was recruited from Swan Districts at No. 51 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, is also noted for his flexibility. This year, he trained as a defender, although he has played predominantly forward and midfield in recent years.
But he said his versatility was an important part of his make-up.
“That’s AFL now. Because there are so many rotations and the sub has come in, it’s good that I’ve been able to play everywhere, despite not having had a full pre-season to date,” he said.
“I enjoy playing anywhere. I’ve been training with the backs all year, but I got put back into the forward line when I returned. It messed with my head a little bit, but I enjoy a challenge.
“I haven’t played midfield yet, but that’s because I haven’t had a pre-season and I’ve had a long layoff, which has been frustrating. But I enjoy playing midfield and forward.”
In addition, Jetta said that Mark Neeld’s coaching style suited his game.
“I enjoy playing under him. I’ve got a good relationship with all of the coaches, and their feedback has been pretty positive. They like my side of the game, so I’ll keep bringing what comes natural to me,” he said.
“The coaches have really helped me, especially Andrew Nichol. He really helped me along the way, setting up my progression plan and things that I can control.
“I worked towards that, and I did enough to get back and play a few games at Casey - I played some good games and then was back for the Darwin game, which I enjoyed, because I love playing in Darwin.”
Jetta has yet to complete a full pre-season at Melbourne, due to injuries.
He was on target in his second pre-season - he started on day one - but he suffered a groin injury and had to be monitored for the rest of his pre-season.
“I couldn’t do everything through that pre-season and then the last two pre-seasons, my right shoulders have been buggered,” he said.
“I didn’t start full running until around Christmas, so that hasn’t been good.”
Building a fitness base and completing his first full pre-season at the club are his priorities at season’s end.
“I just want to get through the rest of the season and I hopefully I can start pre-season from day one, which I haven’t done at the footy club - it’ll be new to me,” he said.
“I’m crying out for a pre-season. My pre-seasons have started in the rehab room - I’ve started there the last three years. I’ve come in after Christmas, when everyone has done their running.
“I’ve thanked the fitness staff for getting me up to the fitness that is required to play, and that’s helped me heaps to get me to where I need to play.”
Despite his setbacks and hurdles he has had to overcome, Jetta said being a father kept everything in perspective.
“You’ve got responsibilities, and before the little one came along and she’s 13 months now - before she (Nalani) came along, I was just a single man running around.
“I’ve always been around family my whole life and I’ve eased into it, like I would if I was caring for a little cousin or another family member.
“I took it in my stride, although it has its ups and downs - she can push the buttons every now and then, but that’s to be expected.”
Overall, Jetta said he had learned a lot about himself, having to endure several injuries and time in rehab.
“Being in rehab, my family, partner and daughter have helped me out heaps and they keep my mind pretty fresh,” he said.
“They’ve done a great job supporting me.”
