Demon star Max Gawn’s high praise for retiring Bunbury hero Neville Jetta

Melbourne Demons premiership captain Max Gawn has paid an emotional tribute to a Bunbury star he describes as “one of the best people I have ever met”. The tribute for the retiring Neville Jetta came at the club’s best and fairest night, where the former defender was given the chance to farewell teammates, staff and Demons fans. He also collected one final accolade, sharing the club’s Ian Ridley Memorial Award for its best ambassador, sharing the award with new recruit and premiership forward Ben Brown. Gawn said Jetta, who spent 13 years at the club, epitomised its off-field ambitions. “Trademark and culture are buzz words in football clubs and this guy is literally our trademark, and is everything about our culture,” he said. “He is one of the best people I have ever met. “He got drafted as a small forward, played about 50-60 games and then during that Mark Neeld era he unfortunately got delisted, was re-rookied and came back as one of the best small defenders in the competition and he finished his career, funnily enough, as a centre bounce midfielder. “I have watched his two kids grow up into mirror images of him and he is everything I want to be as a husband and everything I want to be as a father.” The Demons played finals just twice during Jetta’s 13 seasons there and the life member missed out on the side that beat the Western Bulldogs in the historic Optus Stadium grand final in September. But he said his time in the AFL had a significant impact on his life away from footy, helping shape his young family while living away from his own parents and siblings in the South West. “I got to spend a lot of good time with a lot of good people,” Jetta said. “The coaches, players, support staff and everyone in between — being with people and around people and the memories we share together. “There is no better place for children to grow up than a football club. “I am thankful that they were able to be a part of that journey I was on and see all of that.” Jetta also headed up the club’s cultural learnings, taking on a significant off-field role which also saw him win the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in 2018, named in honour of another Demons great. “From a club point of view it has been an amazing thing that we see this as an important thing and to not only bring in cultural education for our staff and players but our supporters in general,” Jetta said. “To see supporters walking around with Indigenous guernseys that have some pretty special meaning to them, that is almost an education session in itself. “To see the club where it’s at, I am incredibly proud to call myself a past Melbourne player and have this connection for life.” Jetta and Melbourne parted ways at the end of its premiership season, but the 31-year-old is set to play on with Collingwood’s VFL side. It is part of a mixed role which will see him take on a development coaching role at the Magpies as well as playing in the reserves.