AF 2014 Profile: Leroy Jetta

[Ricochet]

LEROY JETTA

Club: Essendon
Position: Forward
2013 ave [games]: 50.8* [8]


Previous Scoring:
2012: 64*
2011: 68.5
2010: 73.6

*Sub Affected

2013 VFL Scores:
121, 83, 42, 85, 130, 89, 131, 111, 115 Ave: 100.7



Jetta hopes for more midfield time
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2013-09-26/jetta-hopes-for-more-midfield-time

Essendon live wire Leroy Jetta is hoping to build his fitness base during the preseason as he prepares for more opportunities in the midfield next season.

Jetta played the majority of last season in the VFL through the midfield taking part in just eight matches at AFL level.

'I have now just had a couple of weeks off and havent done too much, at the moment I am relaxing but once I return to training I will be trying to build my engine up a bit,' Jetta said.

'Hopefully I can build up a bit of a tank, get some more game time through the midfield and aim to get a few more games.'

It is a mature Jetta who reflects on what he describes as a disappointing season where he struggled to break into the senior team.

The 25 year-old said he was looking at more time through the midfield at senior level as he entered his eighth season.

'I spoke to Simon Goodwin in the exit interviews and I played a lot of VFL midfield time and did alright so I just need to work on my fitness over the pre-season.'

'To play more time through the midfield is definitely a goal of mine next year and so I will be looking to build up an engine so that when I do play senior footy I can stick with the elite runners.'

The Bombers aimed to use the run of Jetta late in matches this season starting him as sub in four of his eight senior matches.

Jetta admits it is not a role he enjoyed playing throughout 2013.

'It is a bit hard to get into the game, you might struggle to get a touch and get up with the pace of the game which isnt great for your mind set,' Jetta said.

'It is a bit disappointing but at the end of the day it is the coaches decision and they decide what is the best for the team.'

Despite recent reports surrounding his future Jetta, who has one more year to run on his current contract, is keen to hang around the club in 2014.




Verdict: It seem like every year we see promises of more midfield time for many players, but if this is legit I see Jetta becoming a decent starting option in 2014. He was a gun midfielder as a 16-17yr old with bucket loads of talent. Even though I am not a Bombers supporter it has been hard watching Jetta over the years not live up to his potential. At 25 he is now heading into his prime fantasy scoring age. He should be priced at around 260k by this years magic number (??) but I think at 8 games he will just miss out on a discount.

Ric's Prediction: A real roughie here. Based on his scoring ability of 70-75 as a small forward and his scoring ability in the midfield at VFL level this year I think he can easily push an 85 ave if he does get that midfield rotation. Personally I am waiting until NAB Cup to see where exactly he fits in the Bombers squad.

[Jukes]

He's been the scapegoat for my anger over the last few years for bombers' poor games in the past, but I kinda like the guy. Would love to have him in my team, but can't judge yet, as you said, NAB cup.

Will be priced at about 265k, the JJK of 2014?

[Ziplock]

He's been the scapegoat for my anger over the last few years for bombers' poor games in the past, but I kinda like the guy. Would love to have him in my team, but can't judge yet, as you said, NAB cup.

Will be priced at about 265k, the JJK of 2014?

jjk was a far more proven performer, and cheap because of injury.

completely different scenario.

He'd have to really impress pre-season for me to take him.

[Jukes]

By that I meant 250-300k mid-priced forward who goes boom...

[henry]

What's the JS like though, even if he does become part of the midfield group? Struggled to hold down a spot this year and when he did play wasn't that impressive. Reckon I'll pass, barring something extraordinary in the nab cup.