CO-CAPTAIN Nathan Jones says any Demon fighting to save their career in the final round of the season should look at Neville Jetta as an example.

Jetta, who has had his best AFL season this year, impressed in the final round against the Western Bulldogs last year, and was redrafted by the club, after initially being delisted at the end of the 2013 season.

Although Jetta was reclaimed as a rookie, since his reemergence into the senior team, he has cemented a position as a small defender.

Jones said Jetta proved that there was plenty to take from the final round of the season, even when finals were well and truly out of the equation. 

“We’ve been really disappointed with our last month of footy, but at the same time, we’re probably really learning a lot and taking a fair bit from the last few games in particular. I think this opportunity this weekend presents the same again,” he told 1116 SEN on Thursday.

“Careers can be saved in the final game – we had the perfect example with Neville Jetta last year. We had a new coach coming in with Roosy and he saw Nev play in the final round and Roosy’s (Paul Roos) admitted that that pretty much saved his career.

“It got him another shot on our list – a shot on the rookie list and he fought his way back on our senior list to be a terrific player for us this year.

“There are still plenty of opportunities there for every player – we’ve got a long way to go as a team as well, so every time we play a game, there is a chance to get better and continue to work together.”

Jones said it had been “really frustrating” for the players in recent weeks, after genuine strides had been made this season. 

“We won a few games earlier in the year and we found ourselves in positions to win and unfortunately we couldn’t get over the line,” he said.

“It’s been pretty frustrating the last month – we haven’t been very happy at all with our footy and that’s been quite hard from where we’re coming from. Players’ belief and confidence has wavered and it hasn’t helped us over the last few weeks.

“We’ve got to test our resilience again and we’ve just got to continue to fight and there is plenty of opportunity – I feel like the footy club’s on the right path now and we’re going to continue that way and fight our way out.”