Jake Lever’s father has pleaded with Adelaide to approve trade request for family reasons
THE father of Adelaide defender Jake Lever has urged the Crows to approve his son’s trade request to Melbourne for family reasons.
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THE father of Adelaide defender Jake Lever has urged the Crows to approve his son’s trade request to Melbourne for family reasons.
Alan Lever said his son had “given everything” to Adelaide over the past three seasons and was gutted when the club discouraged him from attending the Crows’ best and fairest on Friday night.
Lever wanted to go to the club champion awards to say goodbye to teammates and supporters but was asked by the club to steer clear.
“I was pretty shattered, to be honest, because I was probably the first one he rang and he (Jake) was devastated by it, he really was,” Alan said.
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“So it’s been pretty rough, these past 48 hours. It’s frustrating.
“I think he has given his heart and soul to the footy club over the past three seasons and people would always say he was the first to get there and last to leave.
“So he has done everything right, especially over the last 12 weeks.
“It would mean the world to all of us to have him back (in Melbourne) together as a close-knit family. A blessing.”
Lever, 21, has requested a trade to Melbourne to be closer to his and his partner’s family, including his three siblings and mother Narelle, who is recovering from a serious illness.
The Calder product has also mourned the passing of his grandmother June, and grandfather, Brian in the past 18 months.
The Demons have offered a first (No.10) and second-round pick to satisfy the Crows in a trade deal for the star key defender who has been likened to a young Alex Rance.
The proposal is similar to Port Adelaide’s deal with Gold Coast for Charlie Dixon two years ago.
But Adelaide has threatened to block the move and force him into the national draft unless the Demons hand over two first-round draft selections.
Alan Lever said he hoped the Crows would treat his son’s departure fairly considering the courage and commitment he had played with on the field since he was drafted with pick No.14.
“We are trying to look forward and we hope they don’t make it hard for him, but we will see,” Alan said.
“We have had some tough times like all families do, I know everyone goes through things at times.
“But Jake wants to come home for his family’s sake. It was beautiful to have everyone around together today.
“He has lost his Nanna, who he was close to, and his grandfather, who lived on the farm with us. And he helped bring him (Jake) up.”
Lever finished 11th in the best and fairest. He is set to sign a four year deal worth about $750,000 a year at Melbourne.
Melbourne will continue negotiations with the Crows when the AFL trade period talks kick-off at Etihad Stadium from 9am.
Originally published as Jake Lever’s father has pleaded with Adelaide to approve trade request for family reasons
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