Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood predicts Jake Lever has pencilled in grudge match

WHY Jake Lever’s faces a desert storm when he lines up for Melbourne in his first game against former club Adelaide in Alice Springs next Sunday.

Adelaide skipper, Rory Sloane, Hugh Greenwood and Jake Lever in happier days after winning the 2017 preliminary final against Geelong. Picture Sarah Reed.

IT IS the desert storm nine months in the making with Adelaide set on taking down defector Jake Lever and Melbourne in Alice Springs.

Lever has already fired a shot across the bows of Adelaide’s saying “if I wasn’t going to get any stick, I’d be pretty disappointed”. Amateur pugilist Lever will get his wish at Traeger Park next Sunday.

NEXT MAN UP APPROACH DRIVES CROWS

“It will be good to play against Jake, I am sure a few of the blokes are looking forward to it. I am sure he is really looking forward to it,” Adelaide midfielder Hugh Greenwood told the Sunday Mail.

“There will be some banter but we love Jake, I love Jake. It will be interesting.

“I am sure he will be up and about and one of those guys who will probably have circled this in his calendar for a while.

“Some blokes will get stuck into him but at the end of the day he is still a mate of ours.”

Lever will be spared a confrontation with injured Taylor Walker – who tore strips off the 194cm defender on leaving West Lakes last October.

Lever, 22, could have to contend with firebrand Darcy Fogarty or Josh Jenkins but Greenwood noted the high priced Demon’s penchant to roam and intercept.

Melbourne’s Jake Lever spoils Gold Coast’s Aaron Young. Picture: Getty Images

“He doesn’t play on anyone, will just float across and spoil,” joked Greenwood.

“Tex is out so it could be out of one of JJ or Fog.”

Lever cost Melbourne close to $4 million and two first round draft picks. Becoming the AFL’s highest-paid key defender attracted high expectations and harsh performance appraisals, particularly on social media this season.

Life has been tougher for Lever in Melbourne’s defence away from the rock solid, lockdown accountability of Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan.

Tom Doedee has filled Lever’s role with aplomb, proving why Adelaide, though angry at losing its investment in the 2014 first round draft pick, didn’t panic following his departure to Melbourne.

Lever struggled initially this season but Melbourne is a tricky proposition notes Greenwood, bolstered by the return of skipper Jack Viney. Simon Goodwin’s outfit aspires to join injury hit Adelaide in the top four with victory against Carlton today at the MCG.

“They have some big names, a dangerous footy club. Looking at their position I don’t think it portrays how good their footy team is. They have blokes coming back. It should be a good challenge,” said Greenwood.

Having finished a month of home games, the Crows are relishing a Red Centre break from the Adelaide bubble.

“I think the Mrs is getting sick of me! It will be good to get away to a different environment. We really enjoyed playing in the Northern Territory last year, have plenty of supporters there,” he said.