Jetta keen to have best as teammates

Neville Jetta is looking forward to learning from the game’s best when he represents Australia in the International Rules Series against Ireland starting in Adelaide this week.

The Melbourne defender was one of six late call-ups to the squad announced last Thursday for the two-Test series, with the 27-year-old revealing he received a call last week asking if he wanted to play for Australia.

“It is pretty surreal to get to play for Australia against Ireland with some of the best players from the 2017 season,” Jetta said.

He joins North Melbourne’s Ben Brown and Robbie Tarrant as well as Hawthorn swingman Jack Gunston, West Coast Eagles speedster Luke Shuey and Carlton veteran Kade Simpson in the squad.

Jetta said he was looking forward to learning from a number of new teammates, including Brownlow medallists Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe.

“It is great to get to play alongside some of the game’s best,” he said.

“There are some guys that have had amazing years.

“I will observe and take mental notes of what those guys do off-field to prepare.

“It will be invaluable to my career, for my own game and to pass on to my teammates ahead of next season.”

Jetta said he and Melbourne teammate Michael Hibberd had a kick with the round ball last week to try to get used to it.

“It was tough to get your head around how the ball moves,” he said.

“I am trying to kick it around as much as possible.”

Jetta said he was excited to play in his home State of WA for the second Test at Domain Stadium on November 18.

He said it would be special for him to have his family and friends watch him represent Australia.

This is the second time Jetta has been invited to play against Ireland, with his wedding costing him an opportunity to play with the Indigenous team that toured in 2013.

“We tried to work around it but we just couldn’t,” he said.

“I will try to create some run and carry off half-back.”

The squad are in Adelaide ahead of the First Test at Adelaide Oval on Sunday before they travel to Perth for the Second Test on November 18.