Melbourne’s Jake Lever takes positive from last setback

Jake Lever is confident he will return to football in strong fashion despite suffering a second serious knee injury.

Melbourne’s Jake Lever speaks to the media yesterday. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne defender Jake Lever is confident he will return to football next season in strong fashion ­despite suffering the second ­serious knee injury of his career.

A high-priced recruit from ­Adelaide, Lever had found his best form for his new club over the past month until tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in Melbourne’s win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

The rebounding defender ­suffered a similar injury as a junior before being drafted by the Crows in 2014.

Lever said his ability to overcome the previous knee reconstruction to become one of the AFL’s premier defenders gave him confidence he could overcome the latest mishap.

“I haven’t had any problems in four years. A lot of people (following an ACL injury) have complications with swelling and things like that,” Lever said.

“For me, over the past three to four years, I’ve had no problems with it, so … it’s about doing the rehab properly and taking my time and making sure when I do come back I’m bigger and better than ever.”

Lever is awaiting the initial swelling from the injury, which ­occurred in innocuous circumstances, to reduce before he undergoes surgery, which is expected to occur later in the week.

“It was a bit of shock for me. ­Initially I probably thought I didn’t do anything too significant,” Lever said.

“I just went to change direction and it kind of hurt and I was a bit shocked when the doctors and physio started testing my ACL in the rooms. When I got the scans, you prepare yourself for the worst, but it still hurts when it hits you.”

With Lever sidelined for the rest of the season, the third-placed Demons must find a replacement, which is difficult given the drive he provides.

Former Giant Sam Frost, who has played two games this year after appearing to cement his spot last season, is a likely candidate to replace Lever in the short-term.

Jayden Hunt, who has fallen out of favour this year, provides dash and has been in reasonable form at VFL level recently.