The long history of ex-AFL footballers running amok in the Goulburn Valley League continued last weekend.
In recent years we have seen players such as Andrew Walker, Kayne Pettifer, Shaun Atley, Logan Austin, Michael Hartley and many more showcase their sublime skills on local grounds.
You can now add Neville Jetta to that illustrious list.
Tatura Football Netball Club landed its big fish last week when the Bulldogs made a surprise announcement on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs had acquired the former Melbourne Demons defender for a one-off match.
The freakishly skilled running half-back donned his old playing number 39 and made Tatura Park his home for a day in the round-seven clash.
Jetta, who played 159 games at the Dees, strutted his stuff in the Bulldogs’ 46-point loss to premiership fancies Echuca.
His appearance last Sunday was dreamt up due to his friendship with Tatura assistant coach Neil Cooper and his son Billy.
Jetta and the Coopers have been close friends since Billy’s involvement in the Laguntas Program at the Richmond Football Club — where Jetta worked for a number of years.
“Billy’s old man reached out to me and said the club had a few injuries and were struggling with numbers,” Jetta, 32, said post-match.
“I was more than happy to come up and help out and have a run around with the boys.
“It’s pretty exciting for not only the players but the community as well and it was great to see everyone turn up and see the boys give Echuca a fair crack today.
“They played some good footy for the majority of the game and hopefully they get some belief now within their team and get a few players back and continue to play good footy for the rest of the year.”
Jetta retired from the elite level in September last year.
Since his departure from the Demons, where he is a life member, Jetta has taken on a development coach role with Collingwood.
He has recently been honoured with the 2022 Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship — which honours the legacy of former Adelaide coach Walsh by aiding the recipient's professional development.
Jetta was a special player in the top-flight, which resulted in his numerous Indigenous All-Stars representative appearances and his matches for Australia in the International Rules series.
Jetta, who hails from Noongar country in Western Australia, said he enjoyed his experience at Tatura Park.
“It’s a tough one because you come in and you don’t know anyone other than a couple of faces and you’re running around calling for the ball and not knowing your teammates’ names. But it was a really welcoming day and great being a part of Tatura Football Netball Club and also the community,” he said.
“And then having the kids so excited and screaming out my name. Hopefully that inspires them to want to play not even senior level here, but go on to bigger and brighter things at AFL level.”
Jetta’s memorable appearance for Tatura brought a healthy crowd through the gate.
Less than 12 months out of the AFL system, his class with ball in hand outshone everyone else on the ground.
Whether he was using his pinpoint kicks and pace to break lines, spoil a towering ruckman with his leap or help coach and direct his teammates, Jetta brought some much-needed magic to Tatura Park.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were unable to pencil in the win over the Murray Bombers.
“Obviously Echuca is going really well... but we came out with pressure and put them under the pump,” Jetta said.
“Early on we probably didn’t quite get rewarded on the scoreboard but we were in the fight for three quarters.
“GV footy is really good and really healthy. I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun.”
And might we ever see Jetta back in the red, white and blue?
“Hopefully, hopefully at some point.”