Adam Goodes began nurturing Lewis Jetta way before the speedster arrived at the Sydney Swans.
It was the 2009 AFL National Draft and the Swans’ next pick was fast approaching.
Jetta, who had been overlooked in the previous two drafts, was waiting anxiously for either a dream come true or another round of heartbreak.
His ringtone broke the tension. On the other end of the line was dual Brownlow Medallist and then Swans co-captain in Goodes.
“He rang me up and said welcome to the Sydney Swans,” Jetta revealed in his last interview as a Swan.
“When my name was called out, I had to pretend I was all excited because all my excitement had gone out the window thanks to Goodesy.”
Goodes had put Jetta’s mind at ease, a sign of things to come as the then 20-year-old left his home and family in Bunbury on WA’s south-east coast for a new life in Sydney.
Jetta, speaking at the Club Champion Dinner on Friday night, took the opportunity to thank Goodes – among others – for his guidance and support during the early years right through to the end with the Swans.
“Horse (John Longmire) was like a father-figure. Rhyce Shaw and Kieren Jack were there from the beginning,” Jetta said.
“Since I have been here (Goodesy) has been like a big brother to me.
“He looked after me, took care of me, took me under his wing and showed me what life in Sydney was all about.”
Most importantly, Goodes showed him how play at the highest standard of AFL football.
It proved sound advice as Jetta went on to earn a first-round debut before managing 20 games in his first season. He would play another 107 over the subsequent six years at the Swans.
Jetta, who requested a trade at season’s end citing family reasons, will leave Sydney a premiership player and electrifying talent.
While no deal has been complete yet, Jetta was sad about leaving but was looking forward to whatever “the next chapter” of his life held.
“It’s sad to leave my friends and family here but at the same time it’s an exciting chapter in our lives and something I’m very much looking forward to,” he said.
