Jetta ventures south to Peel
De-listed Essendon forward Leroy Jetta will play WAFL for Peel Thunder next year as the club pushes to make finals for the first time.
The 26-year-old has been granted permission by his club of origin South Fremantle to train with Peel.
Jetta returned to WA in September after eight seasons at Essendon. Jetta played 93 matches for the Bombers, but just two this year.
The decision to join Fremantle's affiliates is linked to finding employment in youth development in Mandurah.
An unexpected AFL lifeline in either the national or rookie drafts is the only scenario that would change his plans.
Jetta has spent the past month playing for Northern Territory club Palmerston.
Peel president John Ditchburn said he was exactly the type of player the club needed.
"He's a 90-odd game AFL player and he looks very fit," Ditchburn said of Jetta.
"He's obviously continued to work over the off-season as well. I think he'll be just a great acquisition for us."
Ditchburn said Jetta had wanted to play alongside close friends Cruize Garlett and Kelvin Lawrence.
"He wanted to come back to WA, first and foremost," Ditchburn said. "He's also still got the opportunity to show he's capable of playing alongside (AFL players)."
The one added complication for the Thunder could come in the form of any AFL-imposed suspension for Jetta linked to the Essendon supplements scandal. It is not known whether he is among 34 players issued with an infraction notice.
Peel have meanwhile appointed the experienced Andrew McBean as their new football manager.
McBean, who led Subiaco's football department during their premiership hat-trick last decade, will replace Brad Bootsma next week.
