FOR a moment, consider what this round means to Neville Jetta.

Not only will he play his second AFL match in Western Australia – his native state – it coincides with Indigenous Round, adding an extra dimension to the occasion.

“It’s huge. We (Indigenous players) are about 10 per cent of all AFL lists, so it means a lot to the players. To see the AFL jump on board and push it the way they do is amazing,” Jetta told melbournefc.com.au. 

“I just wish there was a Dreamtime [at the ‘G] game for every club to be involved in, which would be amazing. It’s just between Essendon and Richmond and people get around it and respect it.

“It’s just great to see that the AFL recognises us and our history as well.”

Jetta said the fact that several family members are set to watch him play at Patersons Stadium against Fremantle on Sunday – his other game there was also against the Dockers in the final round last year – means plenty to him.  

“Playing in front of my family, who will be there and my extended family throughout WA, it’ll be nerve-racking to play in front of everyone and perform,” he said.

“But we’re going over to play Fremantle and we’ll try our hardest and we’ll try to win.

“I just can’t wait to play in Indigenous round – it’s a big occasion for the indigenous players – past and present. Everyone can’t wait to get out there and show our abilities on that special day.”

This year Indigenous round is celebrating ‘identity’, recognising cultures, customs and traditions across 320 nations and 500 language groups.

It’s also an opportune time to ponder the magnificent contribution made by Indigenous players to the game.  

Delving deeper on a club level, Melbourne has had some fine Indigenous talent wear the red and blue. And it was not that long ago that Jetta was one of six Indigenous players at Melbourne.

“When we had the six brothers here, Liam [Jurrah], Aussie [Wonaeamirri], Jamie [Bennell], myself, Aaron [Davey] and Matty Whelan, we didn’t end up all playing at once together, but we had that sense of feeling you get from playing with each other – you get that extra boost,” he said.

“I’m sure that’s the same across the league with every indigenous player on the list.”

Jetta, who is part of the Noongar people, hailing from south-west Western Australia, said he talks regularly with first cousin Lewis Jetta, who was instrumental in the Swans’ 2012 premiership.

He said the opportunity to play with his relative and other indigenous stars of the game would be a great thrill, which is why he’s an advocate for an Indigenous International Rules team. It’s an idea that has support from AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

“I think it’d be a great idea. We’ve got some of the most exciting, aboriginal players in the game,” Jetta said.

“You see ‘Buddy’ (Lance Franklin) and Cyril [Rioli] play the International Rules when they were both under 16s and they both dominated that series. I think it’d be awesome to add another element to that game.

“If everything goes all right during the year – touch wood, no injuries and the footy club is all happy with it – then I’d be happy to play. I don’t know if I’d make the team, because there are a lot of good players out there.”

But given the many injuries Jetta has endured in his time at the club, he was simply relishing playing at the highest level at the moment.

“Neeldy (Mark Neeld) likes the way I go about it – really hard and tough at the footy – and that’s helped me get back in the team,” he said.

“I worked with the coaches over the pre-season to really concentrate on different areas, so I’m confident that I can play those different areas on the field.”

“Going forward, back or even on the wing – it doesn’t faze me, because I know what I have to do out there.”

Jetta is set to play his fourth match for the season – his 40^th overall – after missing two matches through suspension. But the pleasing aspect is that injuries haven’t halted his season in 2013.

“I’m 10 times ahead of where I was over the last two or three years. The thing that helped set it up was not having any operations last year in the break,” he said.

“It allowed me to have that full pre-season and have a good base under me. I played the whole NAB Cup and didn’t miss a game and then I came into the main season feeling cherry ripe.

“I haven’t missed a beat and I think the suspension refreshed me after my first real long pre-season. I was able to work on my fitness a bit more. I feel twice as good now.”

And the red and blue faithful will be hoping that continues.