DEFENDER Neville Jetta’s outstanding career transformation has been rewarded with a two-year contact.

Jetta, who was delisted at the end of the 2013 and later redrafted as a rookie, has become a valuable member of Melbourne’s best 22 this year, playing as a small defender.

He has played 13 of his 54 AFL matches this season, including every match since round five – except rounds nine and 16 when he missed with illness and suspension respectively.

Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Jetta had thoroughly earned a new deal for 2015-16.

“This is a great reward for Neville,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“He was delisted at the end of last season and he was put on our rookie list and he’s worked extremely hard on his game.

“His form this year has been outstanding and he plays exactly the way we want him to play. He’s competitive and has become very reliable down back and has played on a number of very good players and beat them.

“We look forward to him improving even further after another good pre-season and we think he’ll be an important part of our backline moving forward.” 

Jetta was originally drafted from Carey Park/Swan Districts at No.51 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft and was later claimed at No.50 when redrafted in last November’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

The 24-year-old’s toughness, courage and ability to play a role for the team have become features of his game, particularly in 2014 – his best season since he made his AFL debut in round one, 2009 against North Melbourne.