RIVAL clubs are circling Melbourne free agent Neville Jetta as he hits career-best form as a small defender.

Out of contract at season's end, the 26-year-old has cemented himself in a role that many other clubs lack, with the number of dangerous small forwards in the competition increasing at a rapid rate.

Jetta is averaging 15 disposals and 3.8 tackles a game this season and has locked down the defensive role with a string of solid performances.

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Entering the prime years of his career after 81 games and eight seasons, the unrestricted free agent has claimed some big scalps in the past two seasons, keeping Adelaide's Eddie Betts and Port Adelaide's Chad Wingard goalless last season.

He has also done good jobs on Collingwood's Alex Fasolo, Richmond's Sam Lloyd and Gold Coast's Jack Martin in the past month.

Jetta has played every game this year and become more attacking as he develops a lateral step and the confidence to run and create.

It has been a remarkable resurgence for the West Australian-raised Jetta, who was put on the rookie list for the 2014 season and forced to work his way back into the senior team. 

He won praise on Sunday from coach Paul Roos after the club's loss to the Western Bulldogs for the progress he has made in the past 12 months.

"He's always been a good defensive player," Roos said.

"Something we've worked really hard on is offence and it is starting to come together.

"Nev [Jetta] is really starting to worry the opposition with his step and his ability to get out into space and change direction for us but it is a work in progress and something we need to keep working on."

The Demons have announced the re-signing of several youngsters in recent weeks but Jetta is one of three free agents out of contract at the end of the season with Jack Watts and Jack Grimes also able to explore options elsewhere if they choose.

Melbourne announced last week they had signed another unrestricted free agent in Jake Spencer as a back-up ruckman to Max Gawn and locked in midfielder Jack Viney for four years.