Eagle flies in to inspire future stars

Football fans in Exmouth were given the opportunity of a lifetime last week when a West Coast Eagles premiership player and star midfielder came to town.

Lewis Jetta spent two days in the Ningaloo town last week as part of a trip organised by the West Coast Eagles community team and made possible by the club’s partnership with BHP.

While in town, Jetta ran an Auskick juniors’ clinic on November 19, and a boys’ and girls’ training session at the Exmouth Eagles Junior Football Club on November 20.

Jetta, who played 127 games for the Sydney Swans before moving to the Eagles in 2016, said he loved getting to visit the coastal town.

“I still remember when some of the AFL boys came down to Bunbury when I was younger and I was so excited,” he said.

“So doing this, I know that the kids were excited to have a kick around with an AFL player.

“They were so passionate and it was great to see the smiles on their faces.”

Jetta and his team also ran a leadership course on how to be a professional athlete at Exmouth District High School and joined Rick the Rock for a Q&A session designed to get the youngsters laughing.

“There’s a lot of talent and a lot of energy from the kids there,” Jetta said.

“I guess they just need to put in the hard yards and one day move down to Perth. I know that’s a lot to ask of young people from a remote area, but from what I saw, I was very happy with the talent there.”