| Leroy Jetta | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Leroy Jetta | ||
| Date of birth | 6 July 1988 | ||
| Original team | South Fremantle | ||
| Draft | #18 (PP), 2006 National Draft, Essendon | ||
| Height/Weight | 177cm / 75kg | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Essendon | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2007– | Essendon | 61 (50) | |
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1 Playing statistics to end of Round 24, 2011 season .
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| Career highlights | |||
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Leroy Jetta (born 6 July 1988) is an Australian rules footballer 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.
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