Eagle Jetta set for longer stint in WAFL
Apr 26, 2017 - 5:32 PM West Coast speedster Lewis Jetta faces an uphill battle to win back his spot for Saturday night's derby against Fremantle despite the club's growing injury list.Jetta hasn't played since being dropped following the round-three loss to Richmond at the MCG.
The former Swan had tallied just 23 disposals and one goal in his two AFL games before being axed.
Jetta responded strongly with 36 disposals for East Perth a fortnight ago, but he was quiet last week with just 19 possessions and a goal.
The 141-game veteran was dropped three times last year in his first season at the Eagles, and he has again struggled for consistency this campaign.
West Coast will make at least two changes for the derby after Jackson Nelson (wrist) and Jamie Cripps (ankle) were ruled out for extended periods.
Former Hawk Sam Mitchell (ankle) is no certainty to return, meaning the Eagles may need to dig deep into their reserves.
But Jetta's inconsistent form means he is unlikely to earn a recall, with coach Adam Simpson hinting the winger will spend at least another week in the WAFL.
"His form has been reasonable. But we want to get him into a good block of form," Simpson said.
"We've probably tried to get him in a bit too early on occasions and not really getting him to earn his spot to a degree where we know he can get some consistency.
"So we are going to give him a bit of a run to try to get that good solid form up."
Simpson faces another selection dilemma in regards to how best to counter the influence of Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands.
Nathan Vardy struggled as the sole recognised ruckman in last week's loss to Hawthorn, and Simpson is weighing up whether to add Jonathan Giles to the ruck mix.
If Vardy is again chosen as the lone ruckman, defender Jeremy McGovern and forward Jack Darling will again have to offer assistance.
Dockers midfielder Lachie Neale is almost certain to play despite needing a cortisone injection in his knee after last week's win over North Melbourne.
Coach Ross Lyon said Harley Balic, Nick Suban, and Danyle Pearce were among the contenders to replace injured midfielder Stephen Hill (hamstring).
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Eagle Jetta suffers calf setback in AFL Dec 20
- Eagles re-sign Yeo until 2023 AFL season Dec 15
- Naitanui on track for pre-season AFL games Dec 12
- Eagles take a leaf from small AFL Tigers Dec 5
- Shannon Hurn keen to keep Eagles captaincy Dec 4
- Naitanui hits track for West Coast Eagles Nov 20
- Delisted Eagle to seek new AFL home Oct 26
- Eagles pair go round again in AFL Sep 20
- AFL Eagles looking to get fitter for 2018 Sep 17
- Eagle LeCras urged to knuckle down in AFL Sep 17
- Emotional Eagles farewell retired AFL guns Sep 16
- Vardy emerges as AFL Eagles' ruck saviour Sep 15