NEVILLE Jetta has been one of Melbourne's most improved players in the past three seasons and the defender continues to take big steps forward in 2016.

Jetta, who recently re-signed with the Demons until the end of 2018, has adapted his game to suit the new style of zone defence that Melbourne has implemented this season. 

The defenders have been instructed to be more proactive, with more of a focus on guarding the dangerous space and switching opponents where necessary. 

Jetta's versatility in being able to play on small and tall opponents has been a huge asset. 

"When 'Roosy' (coach Paul Roos) came on board we were a bit more man-on-man, now we're able to attack a bit more and I've got more of a licence to join in and get the ball moving forward," Jetta told AFL.com.au during the week. 

"I've got more confidence in myself to be able to not only play on the small forwards, but really make them defend me when I get up the ground." 

The greatest change in Jetta's game has come about in his ability to feature more heavily in Melbourne's attacks, a mandate Roos and the Demons' coaching staff have urged their players to carry out. 

To underline his greater attacking prowess, Jetta is averaging career-highs in disposals (15.8), rebound 50s (2.1) and uncontested possessions (10.3) this season.

He has vastly improved his kicking efficiency, taking it from 71 per cent in 2015 to 84 per cent this season, while he has taken 16 intercept marks in 16 matches.

Jetta's metres gained numbers have also enjoyed an upward spike, with the lockdown defender averaging 198m a game this season compared with the 116m he averaged last year. 

He is averaging 3.2 score involvements this season and is not afraid to bring out his underrated sidestep to elude his opponents and take the game on.

"That's something I've really worked hard on," Jetta said. 

"Now I've added that attacking flair without losing the defensive side. 

"That's what we base our game on so it's just about taking the team forward and making sure we score." 

Melbourne has allowed the sixth-most points against in the AFL this season and Jetta admitted the team was working hard on to tighten this part of its game.

However, an increased emphasis on scoring (the Demons are eighth in the competition for points for, compared with 16^th at the end of 2015) has had a flow-on effect.

"We're definitely leaking too many goals but there's a bit of give and take with that. We're scoring more goals than we have any other season," Jetta said. 

On Saturday afternoon Melbourne heads to Perth to play West Coast, which has not lost to the Demons since 2009. 

Jetta said his side was eager to atone for last weekend's disappointing 36-point loss to St Kilda.

"We really need to get back to doing the basics well and that's what you need to do when you go over to Perth," Jetta said.

"It's a pretty hostile crowd and they play the ground really well so we'll need to bring our best footy and play as a unit."

Stats supplied by Champion Data 

Neville hits the Jetts

*All averages