Speedster Lewis Jetta is hoping to inspire Swans fans both on and off the field this season.
The 22-year-old, who dazzled crowds in 2012 with his speed and silky skills, is also passionate about having a positive influence on the indigenous community.
Yesterday, Jetta and premiership team mates Rhyce Shaw, Nick Malceski and Mike Pyke ventured to the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) in Redfern as part of the Australia Post AFL Community Camp program.
While his team mates were popular amongst the Swans fans on site, it was clear that Jetta was a crowd favourite at the NCIE.
“It’s good to get out into the community of Redfern and teach the kids about footy, but also about getting out there and being active as well,” Jetta told SwansTV.
“It feels good to be out (there), especially meeting and hearing from the older people and the middle-aged people and also the young guys as well.”
Despite still being a young up-and-coming player by anyone’s standards, Jetta said he enjoyed the responsibility of being a positive role model for the football and indigenous community.
He added that he hoped his experience and success on the field would inspire his young fans to follow their dreams in whatever they choose to do in life.
“It feels good to know that I’m a role model in the community and when I come out here they look up to me and what I’ve achieved,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s hard but (my message to them is) if you have a go you might be able to get there.”
Jetta was one of three Swans players, including Adam Goodes and Tony Armstrong, who travelled to Alice Springs to take part in the AFL Indigenous Camp in early February.
Jetta said the camp was a great opportunity to get to know other indigenous footballers and to get in touch with rural and remote communities in the Northern Territory.
“It was good fun getting out with all the boys. You play against them in the year but when you’re actually with them you see how fun it all is,” he said.
“I learnt a lot from that camp and also from going out to the communities and schools as well.
“It is pretty remote out there in the country but when we went out there you could see the looks on the kids’ faces and how happy they were to see us.”
While in Alice Springs, Jetta also represented the Indigenous All-Stars team in an exhibition match against Richmond.
Jetta said coach John Longmire gave he and team mate Tony Armstrong his blessing to take part in the match, but also issued them with a stern warning ahead of the 2013 season.
“He just told us to enjoy the game, but then on a serious note said: ‘Don’t get injured!’ and I was like ‘Thanks John!” Jetta said.
“It was a good game and it was injury free for most of the boys, so I think most of the clubs were pretty happy.”
Upon returning to Sydney last week, Jetta has continued to produce his impressive pre-season form.
“I came back and was pretty close to most of my PBs and I got one PB last Friday, so I was pretty happy with that,” Jetta said.
“That was in the yo-yo test, so I was pleased with that and I just can’t wait for all the games to start.”
Jetta was also named by Longmire as one of the best in last Friday’s intra-club match, which was a boost for the young midfielder.
“I was just happy with my fitness and my skills, so for the coach to say that I’m pretty happy,” he said.