It’s safe to say that Lewis Jetta has the Midas touch so far this season.
From a player who was left out the Swans best 22 on a number of occasions last season, to one of the most improved and exciting players of 2012, Jetta’s rise has been one of the most talked about transformations in the AFL this year.
The numbers speak for themselves.
In Jetta’s debut season for the Swans, the then 21-year-old kicked 19 points before converting his first goal for the club in round 15, 2010.
But this year, the speedy forward has the golden touch and has notched up 31 goals in 14 matches, which has him level with Collingwood star forward Travis Cloke as the fifth ranked goalkicker in the competition this season.
Compared to the averages of the other players in the AFL’s top-ten goalkickers, at 181 centimetres and 75 kilograms, Jetta is giving up 15 centimetres and 25 kilograms to the nine other players, all of whom are power forwards.
In addition to his already impressive figures, Jetta has also scored three or more goals in eight matches this year.
Speaking to SwansTV, Jetta said confidence has been the key in front of goal this season.
“As soon as I grab it I’m always going to back myself in front of goal,” he said.
“I do a lot of shots at training and all of that stuff, so as soon as I run on to the footy I’m always going to back myself.
“Everything seems to be going good for me and my confidence is up and everything I’m doing at the moment is just working, so I’m just going to keep sticking to my routines.”
His current form has also raised comparisons with talented Hawthorn player Cyril Rioli, which the modest Swans star can only laugh off.
“I think it’s kind of funny but it’s also good,” Jetta said.
“(Cyril) is a really good player so I’m trying to get to where he’s at.”
With the first half of the season well and truly over, Jetta said he was pleased with not just his own form, but also the performance of the team so far this season.
Jetta said the Swans are aiming to continue their consistent football, which has seen them win ten out of a possible 13 games.
“We’re going pretty good at the moment but we still have a long way to go,” he said.
“We’re sitting second and we’ve just got to keep winning to give ourselves a real good crack.
“We’ve just got to keep playing really good footy and play as a team and everyone needs to keep playing their role, and hopefully we’ll keep winning.”
Jetta said this weekend’s clash with the Brisbane Lions is shaping up to be a real challenge for the second-placed Swans.
“Every game is really important,” he said.
“(Brisbane) have a real crack. I’ve watched them over the last month and they are going pretty good.
“They get in there and they are fighting, so we’ve just got to bring our game and all the hard stuff and just play our role in the team.”
