Retired Demons defender Neville Jetta has joined the Collingwood as a development coach for season 2022.
The veteran only called time on his career last Tuesday and has moved into a backroom role under the command of new coach Craig McRae.
On top of his new coaching duties, Jetta will also reportedly play for Collingwood's VFL side to tutor some of the club's up-and-coming talents during their formative years.
According to The Age, there were a number of clubs circling Jetta's services, but the Pies managed to secure the former Demon in a prompt fashion.
“We are focused on investing in development. Given our list profile and the fact that many of the young players coming into the system have not played a lot of football over the last two seasons, due to COVID-19, it is important we provide a first rate football education,” Magpies football boss Graham Wright said on the announcement.
“Neville is someone we identified some time ago. He is widely respected not only for his football but for his work off the field. He is passionate about helping people.
“He forged a very good career and did it the right way. We believe he will be an excellent addition to our program.”
The 31-year-old played 159 games for the Dees, debuting in 2009 under coach Dean Bailey after being drafted at pick 58 in the 2008 national draft.
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Despite his talent Jetta was delisted at the end of 2013, however was picked up the following year by new coach Paul Roos and stayed on at the club.
Having been instrumental throughout the aforementioned Roos' tenure as well as current coach Simon Goodwin's first two years, the defender found chances in the team post-2018 few and far between.
He featured only five times across season 2021 and was forced to watch from the stands as the team he helped rebuild won their first flag since 1964.
Jetta will join the likes of Justin Leppitsch, Brendon Bolton and Scott Selwood in the Pies backroom, with the club looking onwards and upwards after a horror past couple of years.
The Magpies defensive structure had been a relatively watertight one prior to season 2021, and with the reputation that Jetta brings, the likes of Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard and Jeremy Howe among others might learn a thing or two from the veteran.
With skipper Scott Pendlebury penning a new deal on Tuesday, the signing of tall Nathan Kreuger from Geelong as well as the imminent arrival of potential No.1 draft pick in-waiting Nick Daicos, things are looking mighty positive for Collingwood heading into the off-season.
