Adelaide defender Jake Lever officially requests trade to Melbourne
ONE of the worst kept secrets in the AFL this year is finally official with Adelaide defender Jake Lever telling the Crows he wants to be traded to Melbourne during the upcoming exchange period.
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ADELAIDE defender Jake Lever has requested a trade to Melbourne.
The gun key backman on Tuesday told the Crows he wants to join the Demons in this month’s trade period.
The Herald Sun revealed in June that Lever was Melbourne’s top priority in this year’s exchange period, starting Monday.
Collingwood is also keen on Lever and is willing to part with pick No.6 to secure the intercept king.
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But Lever, 21, is ready to accept a four-year deal from Melbourne worth about $750,000 a season.
“I’ll be going back to Melbourne to be with my family and friends. I’ve nominated the Melbourne Football Club (as preferred new home),” he said.
“They’re young, they’re exciting, especially to watch and they’ve shown great interest in me.
“For myself and my partner, just being around our family and eventually in the near future I’d think I’d like to start my own family.
“The hardest thing was definitely ringing my teammates and telling them that obviously I’m going to be requesting a trade back home.”
Adelaide is expected to play hard ball with the Demons and has already said it will take offer from rival Victorian clubs for the gun defender.
But when asked what he’s do if no trade can be done with Melbourne, Lever told Channel 7: “If there’s not, I’ll probably go into the draft.”
Melbourne has offered pick No.10 and No.27 in this year’s draft for the prized defender, but may have to improve its offer to satisfy the Crows.
The Dees could also include its future first round draft pick from next year to secure the 194cm marking backman.
Adelaide is determined to receive two-first round selections for Lever, who has been likened to superstar Richmond defender Alex Rance at the same age.
The 56-gamer was narrowly overlooked for selection in this year’s All-Australian team.
Melbourne has a young defensive unit and is keen to land Lever to help support Tom and Oscar McDonald in the back half.
Negotiations between the Crows and Demons officials have hit some hurdles in recent weeks but Melbourne chiefs remain confident of finalising a deal.
The Calder product is in his third season and wants to move home to Victoria to be closer to family.
Melbourne was keen on Lever in the 2014 national draft but instead opted for Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw.
Adelaide football boss Brett Burton yesterday said the Crows would seek the “best deal” and hear all offers from rival Victorian clubs.
“We knew over the last few weeks of his intentions, and only recently his intentions to go to Melbourne,” Burton told AFL Trade Radio.
“We’re obviously extremely disappointed that Jake has decided he wants to go back to Victoria.
“We’ll do what’s best for our club.
“Anyone who wants to trade for Jake Lever, we’re open to having those discussions.”
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