Jake Lever told not to attend Adelaide’s best-and-fairest after trade request
UPDATE: JAKE Lever’s manager has revealed his client wanted to go to Adelaide best and fairest count last night before being told not to attend.
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JAKE Lever’s manager has revealed his client wanted to go to last night’s Adelaide best and fairest count before being told not to attend.
The Crows advised departing defender Lever to miss the club champion awards.
Lever had planned to go to the gala function to say goodbye to teammates and supporters but was encouraged to not attend.
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Manager Alex McDonald said Lever was keen to attend the function but was steered away by the club.
“He would have liked to have attended, that was his intention but on the advice of the club he was encouraged not to go,” McDonald said.
“Jake made that decision in the best interests of everyone. It’s a pretty raw sort of thing for the general public.”
The star backman was left disappointed by the club’s position after seeking a trade to Melbourne this week.
Lever was widely expected to finish high in the Malcolm Blight Medal after a career-best third season. However he failed to make the top 10.
The 21-year-old played his last game for the Crows in the Grand Final and is expected to sign a four-year deal with about $750,000 a season with the Demons.
He wanted to move to Victoria to be closer to family.
His decision has angered key figures at the club and almost cost him a spot in the senior team during the finals.
Adelaide is now playing hard ball in trade talks as they seek two first round-draft picks for Lever.
The Demons are prepared to hand over a first-round (pick No.10) and second-round draft pick.
The Crows could also lose contracted speedster Charlie Cameron to Brisbane.
Originally published as Jake Lever told not to attend Adelaide’s best-and-fairest after trade request
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