Sydney speedster Lewis Jetta will take centre stage at the SCG on Saturday when he dons custom-made AFL boots decorated in the colours of the indigenous flag.
Jetta is delivering on his potential this season, making the transition from flashy flanker to a more complete player.
Kieren Jack, who guided Jetta through a more testing pre-season this year, says the difference has been hard work and the 23-year-old’s added defensive edge.
“When he was a couple of metres off his opponent, his body work was poor,” Jack told AAP ahead of his side’s clash with Melbourne.
“That was putting him in poor spots and when there was a turnover he couldn’t get the ball from there.
“Now his pressure acts, his tackling, has really lifted as well.
“He’s putting himself in really good positions to get the ball and now he’s got some real confidence in himself to take the game on and take players on.
“The reason he got to where he is at the moment is because he has worked so hard … but he knows if he falls away from that, his whole game will fall away.
“To be in the midfield and know he’s on the wing – it’s a good asset to have for any team.”
Jetta’s rise has been one of many factors contributing to an improved Sydney midfield – although it was generally hard to see in the side’s last-start loss to Richmond.
Josh Kennedy has lifted his game to another level, while Jack’s regained form and fitness after an ankle injury curtailed his 2011 campaign.
“We’re starting to really create some more depth in that area,” Jack said.
“We’ve probably relied on a few in the past, and it’s been very tough on one or two to carry that burden.
“Luke Parker’s only in his second year of footy and he’s playing as an inside midfielder week-in, week-out at AFL level.
“So he’s stepped up dramatically, and Dan Hannebery. Then you’ve still got the experienced guys – Ryan O’Keefe, Jude Bolton and Goodesy when he’s in there.
“There’s a good mix at the moment but we’ve got to keep building on that.”
While acknowledging the side’s development, Jack said his teammates had to make a statement against the Demons and prove the loss to the Tigers was an aberration.
“The main thing for us now is that we come out and do something about it. Rectify that and get back to the footy that we want to play.”