The 24-year-old, who was the club’s leading goal scorer last season, suffered a shin complaint in round 10 seeing the exciting attacking option sidelined until the club’s qualifying final against Hawthorn almost three months later.
Starting the first two finals in the green vest, Jetta kicked a goal in each of the Swans’ three finals matches, including a sensational snap to open the Swans’ account in their preliminary final clash with Fremantle.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au, Jetta said fitness would be his focus leading into 2014.
How would you sum up your season in 2013?
It was probably slow to start and it took me a little while to get into the games. It wasn’t until the Brisbane or St Kilda games that I sort of got some form, but then I got injured, so it was an up and down season.
It was the longest-term injury that you’ve ever had, how did you cope with that this year?
It was tough watching all the boys train. I asked the boys who were in the rehab already how they did it and asked for little tips to get me through. It was the first time that I’d had an injury for that long.
You did have some pretty experienced boys in the rehab group with you. Did they spur you along to get back to full fitness?
Shawy was in there and it was good fun in rehab. When we did training together we had races and that sort of stuff, so that made it interesting and fun. I would have preferred to be training with the boys, but that’s life.
After many weeks out, you were forced to test out your fitness in the semi final against Carlton. What was that like for you?
I was just surprised to come on so early. In my previous times as the sub I’ve always come on in the last quarter so I was pretty happy to get on earlier. I actually felt really in good in that game and I felt my fitness was pretty good.
You kicked a great goal to kick things off in the preliminary final against Fremantle. Did you feel like you were starting to rediscover some of your best form?
Yeah it did. It just felt like how I felt before I got injured and I was just getting the ball and just running, so it felt really good.
Looking ahead to next year’s pre-season, what things do you want to improve heading into 2014?
I just want to get fit again. I want to do the same or even better than 2012 in terms of fitness. If I can do that and get a little bit stronger then I’ll be happy.
You’ve got an exciting off-season coming up including a trip over to Ireland with the Indigenous All-Stars. Are you excited?
I think all the boys are pretty excited about it because it’s the first time it’s happening and I just can’t wait for it to start.
I’ll go over there and see the sights and I think Tommy Walsh is going to show me around a little bit, so it’s going to be exciting.
Who are you looking forward to playing with?
Just all of them in general, they are all just pretty good guys with amazing skills. It’s going to be fun and it’s going to be quick.
Some pretty big names playing for the All-Stars. What kind of style of football do you think you will play?
Just fast footy. I think we’re just going to enjoy ourselves and have fun just playing with each other. We’ll just work hard and try to kick this round ball, which I haven’t actually tried to kick properly yet, so I’ll need some practice.
