Leading AFL critic and former coach Terry Wallace has defended an inept NAB series debut from top West Coast Eagles recruit Lewis Jetta.
Wallace expects the 2012 Sydney premiership midfielder to be at his explosive best when the imposing Eagles midfield approaches full strength.
Jetta, 26, was under heavy fire when he collected just three possessions in his Eagles debut as the side was flogged by Adelaide by 100 points in their NAB opener on February 21.
Wallace describes Jetta as an "outside receiving finisher" who will compliment belligerent ball-winning from Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis and ruckman Nic Naitanui.
"We all know Lewis Jetta as the ultimate finisher," Wallace said on Radio 6PR .
"That's what he's been in a side for and that's why the West Coast Eagles have picked him up.
"Until you see him running around with Matthew Priddis and the rest of the midfield boys with first use from Nic Naitanui, the structure as it should be with the (defensive) wall at its best getting turnover ball so he can get on the other side, you're not going to know what you're going to get from Lewis Jetta."
Wallace dismissed the Eagles drubbing from a substantially stronger Crows outfit that slammed on 2.20. 10 (148) to just 7.6 (48), with Eddie Betts kicking five goals and powerhouse forward Taylor Walker three.
The Eagles have named a near full strength team for their home NAB clash with Gold Coast in Perth on Thursday evening after 15 members from last season's grand final team missed the trip to Adelaide.
"You just wipe off that game from the Lewis Jetta point of view," Wallace said.
Priddis, Naitanui, Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, captain Shannon Hurn, veteran sharpshooter Mark LeCras and reigning club champion Andrew Gaff will play their first games of 2016 against the Suns
Eagles 2014 club champion and star defender Eric Mackenzie also resumes from his 12-month rehabilitation from a total knee reconstruction after he snapped an anterior cruciate ligament in last summer's NAB opener.
Wallace tips an immediate response from Jetta, who joined West Coast through last October's trade period after 127 games at Sydney.
The speedy winger was drafted out of WAFL club Swan Districts at number 12 overall in 2009 and was traded to West Coast in exchange for popular Eagles ruckman Callum Sinclair.
Wallace concedes the free-wheeling Jetta does have certain playing limitations in what he offers the Eagles midfield as an outside receiver and running finisher, with spearing foot-passing his finest attribute.
"He allows others to get hold of it and he gets on the end of it," he said.
"You don't want too many of those in your side.
"But you do want a few in the side who can kick the ball like he does.
"It does show that he has got limitations."