SYDNEY Swans draftee Lewis Jetta is a shining example of just how far hard work can take you.

At the end of 2007, he was overlooked in the AFL Draft, despite attending the WA state screening session after a season with Swan Districts’ Colts in the WAFL.

Instead of wallowing in disappointment, the lightning-quick wingman vowed to improve every aspect of his football.

A return to the rough and tumble of country football in his native Bunbury hardened his body, while his skills were sharpened with a blistering season at senior level with Swan Districts in 2009.

Jetta, 20, provided a more concise summary.

“I just tried to work hard, went back to the country and got used to the bigger bodies in the league,” he said at his first day of training at Lakeside Oval.

“After that, I went back up to the Swans [Swan Districts] and turned it on.”

Despite his wiry 69kg frame, the 181cm Jetta hoped his experience playing senior football would help him adapt quickly to the rigors of lining up against hardened AFL players.

Both he and new teammate Trent Dennis-Lane - another WAFL product selected by the Swans in last Thursday’s draft - were identified by Swans coach Paul Roos as genuine chances to make their AFL debuts in 2010.

“The other boys are playing against other 18 year olds and me and Trent have been playing against guys who are 22, 23 - even older - with the bigger bodies,” Jetta said.

“With our slight frames, we’ve got to try and get away from them and try not to get killed. It’s great to kick goals against them.

“When Trent and I played against each other in the WAFL preliminary final, this big guy was chasing me and I just turned around and smiled at him as I ran away.”

Jetta said he had been in constant contact with his cousin, Melbourne flanker Neville, and he intended to catch up with another AFL-playing cousin, Essendon forward Leroy.

He will also renew acquaintances with fellow Bunbury boy Kristin Thornton, having played junior footy against the Swans utility and his twin brother Ashley in WA.

Given all that, there seems little chance that the AFL environment will overwhelm the newest Jetta to reach the big time.

“I just like to turn it on and I love playing in big games,” he said.

“That’s when I play my best footy but every week’s going to be a big game here, so hopefully I do well.”

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos described Jetta as a player who could do “the extraordinary” and said the club was rapt to have secured both him and No.6 selection Gary Rohan.

“An area we identified was that [need for] outside pace and to get both those boys… was a fantastic result,” he said.

“We were hearing that West Coast was going to take [Lewis] at seven and we were resigned to tossing both boys up at six.

“We certainly didn’t expect to get both of them, but it was a super result.”