AFL 2025: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has turned to a rejuvenated Jake Lever for Adelaide this Sunday

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has noticed a real shift in his star defender after making a bold change last week.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he sees “a real energy” about returning defender Jake Lever after boldly dropping the All Australian last week.

The Demons, who were defeated by Gold Coast last weekend, take on the improved Adelaide on the road on Sunday.

Crows Riley Thilthorpe (33 goals), Darcy Fogarty (29), Ben Keays (25), Josh Rachele (25) and Taylor Walker (22) have caused headaches for opposition coaches this year.

Goodwin says dropping Lever has allowed the defender to regain confidence and form ahead of an important test this week.

“It’s a challenge for any senior player when you’re not playing the form you want to be in,” he said.

Jake Lever (facing) is a welcome addition for Melbourne this Sunday. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“To go back and perform really strongly, you can just see him around the club this week, there’s a real energy about him, you can see him confident about his footy.

“We’re looking for him to bring it out this weekend, he’s someone we value highly and we need him playing his best footy.

“It’s the chance to get him back into the team, he’s a leader and someone we’re going to need a big game from this weekend.”

Goodwin has bolstered his back six but wants to see the Demons midfielders have first say in stopping Adelaide’s fierce forward line.

“There’s no doubt the midfield is going to play a big part, how we limit supply is going to be really important,” he said.

“Obviously they’re very potent ahead of the ball they’ve got a lot of talent, we feel our backs are something we’ve been working on as to how we defend the ground that little bit better.

“It’s something that’s been inconsistent in our game of recent times in terms of our team defence, we want to defend to a higher level to restrict the supply but also have a greater impact when the ball goes in our D50.

“Those things we’ve been working on clearly it’s going to be a challenge this week against a high quality forward line.”

The Demons’ season looks all but done, sitting four wins and hefty percentage out of the eight. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Melbourne’s chances at finals football look all but lost with eight rounds left in the season.

But Goodwin says every act is working towards the Demons’ next premiership push and wants to see his players grit their teeth on the run home.

“Teams are built on a lot of grit and resilience, there will be times in games, seasons when you’re challenged and right now in terms of results we’re getting challenged,” he said.

“We need to show that resilient, grit, spirit and fight for our footy team and that’s what we’re about this week.”

Originally published as AFL 2025: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has turned to a rejuvenated Jake Lever for Adelaide this Sunday