Anyone for golf? Jake Lever’s departure announcement doesn’t derail Adelaide end-of-season celebrations
THERE wasn't much to celebrate but the Adelaide Crows players still let their hair down — and showed off some fancy dress-up gear — at their end-of-season function on Tuesday.
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THERE wasn't much to celebrate but the Adelaide Crows players still let their hair down — and showed off some fancy dress-up gear — at their end-of-season function yesterday.
With most of last Saturday's losing grand final squad dressed in golf designs in a theme that was the brainchild of injured defender Brodie Smith, the players were just two hours into their session when the club announced that key defender Jake Lever had requested a trade to a Victorian club.
“It’s a part of the game these days,’’ Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs said before football’s worst-kept secret was confirmed.
“Lever’s been an important part of our team in the past three years but this is what happens with players and coaches these days.’’
Jacobs said that while the Adelaide players were shattered by their eight-goal grand final loss to Richmond, describing it as “a wasted opportunity’’, he said it was important they stuck together and recognised their achievements in winning the minor premiership and making the club’s first AFL grand final since 1998.
“It’s important to spend some time with the boys and celebrate the year we had because obviously there were a lot of successes and some guys had terrific years,’’ he said as the squad, including the soon-to-be-departing Lever, gathered for lunch and drinks at the Sunnybrae Estate Function Centre.
“After that we’ll touch on the grand final and have a little review so that when we go into our holidays we have an understanding of where we went wrong and the areas that we can improve.’’
When it came to the costume party, most were dressed in golf gear but there were a few breakaways, with key forward Josh Jenkins donning a turtle outfit, small forward Eddie Betts dressing as a jockey and Curtly Hampton in a medieval outfit.
“It was Brodie Smith’s little project,’’ said Jacobs, of the injured backman who is recovering from a knee reconstruction.
“It’s a nice easy one but JJ is dressed up as a turtle and I don’t know where he’s got that one from.
“It's just a bit of fun and these days are good to spend with the players, not only the players but the staff, to spend some time reflecting on the year and relaxing together.’’
andrew.capel@news.com.au
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