Leroy Jetta
Encyclopedia
Leroy Jetta is an Australian rules football
er with the Essendon Football Club
in the Australian Football League
.
The speedy forward was drafted by the Bombers with the priority selection (18th overall) in the 2006 AFL Draft
from South Fremantle
. He was drafted as a player renowned for outstanding pace, good foot skill and terrific vision on the ground.
An outstanding junior, Leroy was twice named in the Under 18 All-Australian Team as well as being adjudged the joint winner of the Kevin Sheehan Medal, awarded to the Best Player in Division 1 at the Under 16 National Championships. Leroy was also a Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy in 2005.
He made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2007 season
, along with another of the club's 2006 recruits, Alwyn Davey
. Leroy went on to play the following 3 matches before being sidelined by a groin complaint. Despite returning to play with Essendon's VFL affiliate, the Bendigo Bombers
, this injury ultimately ended Leroy's 2007 season.
The 2008 pre-season saw Leroy return to the club in excellent condition. Leroy equaled the then club record for the 20m sprint with a time of 2.75 seconds, and his skin folds were the lowest they had been. His strong performances in the NAB Cup reflected that increase in fitness. As a result of that good form, Leroy earned selection in Essendon's Round 1 encounter with North Melbourne
in which he gathered 13 possessions and showcased his terrific tackling. Unfortunately, Leroy's good start to the season was interrupted by a hamstring injury sustained in Essendon's round 3 clash with Carlton
. He returned in round 7, but had a subsequent dip in form. However, Essendon coach Matthew Knights
persisted with Leroy and was paid back by Leroy's outstanding performance against Fremantle
in round 14. Since, Leroy has quickly established himself as one of Essendon's first choice small forwards with hope of moving into the midfield in coming seasons.
The 2009 season shapes as another important year in Leroy's development. A few quiet performances in the pre-season led to Leroy's omission from the side for the opening two rounds of the season however, strong form for the Bendigo Bombers led to a recall for Essendon's vital round 3 encounter with Carlton.
He is contracted at Essendon until the end of the 2010 AFL season.
Leroy is a relation to Melbourne Demons forward Neville Jetta
and his brother, Jerome, plays for the Bendigo Bombers.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er with the Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
The speedy forward was drafted by the Bombers with the priority selection (18th overall) in the 2006 AFL Draft
2006 AFL Draft
The 2006 AFL Draft is a recent national draft of the Australian Football League. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League....
from South Fremantle
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
. He was drafted as a player renowned for outstanding pace, good foot skill and terrific vision on the ground.
An outstanding junior, Leroy was twice named in the Under 18 All-Australian Team as well as being adjudged the joint winner of the Kevin Sheehan Medal, awarded to the Best Player in Division 1 at the Under 16 National Championships. Leroy was also a Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy in 2005.
He made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2007 season
2007 AFL season
The 2007 AFL Season was the 111th season of the Australian Football League, the highest-level professional Australian rules football league in Australia...
, along with another of the club's 2006 recruits, Alwyn Davey
Alwyn Davey
Alwyn Davey is a professional Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the Essendon Football Club of the Australian Football League.-Early life:...
. Leroy went on to play the following 3 matches before being sidelined by a groin complaint. Despite returning to play with Essendon's VFL affiliate, the Bendigo Bombers
Bendigo Bombers
The Bendigo Bombers Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia playing in the Victorian Football League .-Brief history:...
, this injury ultimately ended Leroy's 2007 season.
The 2008 pre-season saw Leroy return to the club in excellent condition. Leroy equaled the then club record for the 20m sprint with a time of 2.75 seconds, and his skin folds were the lowest they had been. His strong performances in the NAB Cup reflected that increase in fitness. As a result of that good form, Leroy earned selection in Essendon's Round 1 encounter with North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
in which he gathered 13 possessions and showcased his terrific tackling. Unfortunately, Leroy's good start to the season was interrupted by a hamstring injury sustained in Essendon's round 3 clash with Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. He returned in round 7, but had a subsequent dip in form. However, Essendon coach Matthew Knights
Matthew Knights
Matthew Knights is a former Australian rules football player, having played in the midfield for the Richmond Football Club from 1988 to 2002. He went on to a coaching career, most notably as head coach of the Essendon Football Club from 2008 to 2010...
persisted with Leroy and was paid back by Leroy's outstanding performance against Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in round 14. Since, Leroy has quickly established himself as one of Essendon's first choice small forwards with hope of moving into the midfield in coming seasons.
The 2009 season shapes as another important year in Leroy's development. A few quiet performances in the pre-season led to Leroy's omission from the side for the opening two rounds of the season however, strong form for the Bendigo Bombers led to a recall for Essendon's vital round 3 encounter with Carlton.
He is contracted at Essendon until the end of the 2010 AFL season.
Leroy is a relation to Melbourne Demons forward Neville Jetta
Neville Jetta
Neville Jetta is an Australian rules footballer for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League.Jetta was drafted to Melbourne with the 51st selection in the 2008 AFL Draft. He had previously been playing with Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League...
and his brother, Jerome, plays for the Bendigo Bombers.