After a gruelling pre-season, Sydney Swans livewire Lewis Jetta produced an outstanding season in 2012.

The 23-year-old finished the season as the Swans leading goal-kicker with 45 goals for the year and was named the club’s most improved player.

On many occasions, Jetta delighted Swans fans with his lightning speed and silky skills, including an unforgettable 90 metre, three-bounce run and goal along ANZ Stadium in the Swans’ Preliminary Final win over Collingwood.

Jetta spoke to sydneyswans.com.au about his 2012 season and how he hopes to get even better in 2013.

How do you sum up your 2012 season?

It was a very enjoyable season and a lot of hard work has paid off and now I can’t wait for next year.

What areas do you think the team improved on most this year?

Probably just playing together. We’re still a young side even though we do have a few old boys in there, but the young boys are stepping up as well so it’s going to be exciting times next year.

How do you think you improved personally this year?

My defensive pressure improved massively and also my fitness as well. I’m planning to get my fitness up again and then come back in 2013 and try and do better than 2012.

Having to watch the 2011 finals from the sidelines, what did you learn and what motivated you to go to that next level this year?

It was just a lot of hard work. I wasn’t as fit as I was last year as I am this year and I jumped on Kieren Jack’s back and just followed him all pre-season and just came out really fit and it had just shown in my games. I managed to get down into defence and then push back hard into our forward line and kicked a couple of goals.

Aside from yourself, who do you think are some of the other players who improved out of sight this year?

I’d say big Sammy Reid. The way he went about his fitness and also his strength, he’s now taking big pack marks. Also Dan Hannebery, the way he goes about it as well just week-in, week-out just playing his role and he gets so many touches and those sorts of things.

Looking at the Grand Final, how inspiring is it seeing a player like Dan Hannebery running back into a contest and taking a mark like he did?

It definitely inspires me. I know I can inspire the boys by getting a chase-down tackle and for (Hannebery) to do that, that’s just the way he is now. He’ll do that week-in, week-out.

Describe what it was like to outrun Cyril late in the first quarter of the Grand Final?

It was an amazing feeling how loud the crowd was. I got the ball off Heath Grundy and I just looked up and there was a paddock so I just went for it again, just like in the Collingwood game. This time it was a little bit further so I had to make sure I got four bounces in.

How did you feel when the final siren went?

It was just a feeling you can’t explain. I just wish I could have that feeling every year and every day and every minute. I want that feeling back, so I’m going to do all I can to make sure I get that feeling back next year.

What does the team need to do to stay at the top of their game?

We still have a lot of improvement to do, so we’re just going to improve on the things that we have to and work really hard over the pre-season and come out firing again.

What are your plans for the off-season?

I’m just going to head back over to WA. I’m not going out of Australia, I was scared when I went to Tasmania so I’m just going to stay in WA for a bit. I might go up to the Kimberleys or go down south, but who knows?