Time for Eagle Jetta to get hands dirty

He’s renowned for his run and carry, but premiership wingman Lewis Jetta will need to get his hands dirty if he is to cement his spot in West Coast’s senior side.

Jetta was one of five inclusions for Sunday’s AFL clash with Greater Western Sydney at Domain Stadium.

The 28-year-old has struggled since arriving at West Coast from Sydney as a high-profile recruit at the end of 2015.

Jetta was dropped three times last season, and he has already been axed once this year.

But after a six-week stint in the WAFL, Jetta has won back his spot for a match that will be crucial to the top-four hopes of both West Coast (6-3) and GWS (7-2).

In Sydney’s 2012 grand final win over Hawthorn, Jetta showcased his lightning pace by burning off Cyril Rioli in a four-bounce effort on the wing.

But Eagles coach Adam Simpson says it’s time for Jetta to bring some contested aspects of his game.

“How many players can tuck the ball under their arm these days with the way the game’s played?” Simpson asked.

“The game has shifted from someone taking three bounces down the wing.

“We’ve been working on Jetts to shift his game as well.

“It’s become more and more contested, and (you’ve got to be) more and more consistent in that area, so he’s worked on that.

“At the same time, he’s got some speed and I think we need some speed in our side as well.”

Simpson swung the axe after last week’s 61-point loss to Essendon.

Jack Redden, Fraser McInnes, Kurt Mutimer, and Tom Barrass were all dropped, while Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) was forced out through injury.

Veteran Drew Petrie returns after recovering from a broken hand, and he’s been joined in the side by Will Schofield, Josh Hill, Jackson Nelson, and Jetta.

The Giants suffered a double blow when forwards Steve Johnson (knee) and Rory Lobb (groin) were ruled out.

Defender Harry Himmelberg and midfielder Matt Kennedy have been brought into the side.

West Coast have been put under the spotlight all week following their limp display against Essendon.

It continued a worrying trend of Eagles players struggling to play well in Melbourne – especially when it came to contested possessions.

Simpson said he was still examining the reasons behind his team’s big drop-offs interstate.

And he has put a huge focus on winning the contested ball after West Coast were pumped in that area last week.

“When you’re minus 30 in contested ball, it makes it hard to do a lot of other things,” Simpson said.

“It’s not the be-all-and-end-all, but for us we need to be competitive in that area.”

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