Jake Lever’s importance to Melbourne backline highlighted by poor form during defender’s absence after surgery

When Jake Lever suffered concussion in round 10, Melbourne took the opportunity to send him for knee surgery. Four weeks on, the Demons’ season is on the brink after a period which has emphasised just how important the defender is.

There are holes everywhere at the Demons.

Their performances in recent weeks look as un-Melbourne-like as anything the club has produced since its scintillating grand final victory in 2021.

While there are fingers that can be pointed around the ground, including a forward line without a consistent target and a midfield that has gone backwards, there is no greater absence than one down back.

Jake Lever received a knee to the side of his head from West Coast’s Jack Darling in the first quarter of round 10, forcing the star defender from the ground and later ruling him out with concussion. The Demons were down by a point at the time – just five minutes into the clash – and the Eagles ultimately ran out 35-point victors.

Lever was set to miss the following game as he recovered from the blow, but instead the Demons sent the defender in for knee surgery to clean up a complaint he had been carrying in 2024.

With Melbourne facing a three-week span of Fremantle (Alice Springs), St Kilda (MCG) and then Collingwood for the King’s Birthday clash ahead of the round 14 bye, it seemed as good as any time for Lever to go under the knife and miss 4-6 weeks.

But the Demons’ season is now on the edge, losing three of four matches (including against West Coast) since Lever’s concussion, with an embarrassing 92-point defeat to the Dockers.

The Demons are sorely feeling Jake Lever’s absence. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

DEFENSIVE PROFILE SHIFT

In the four weeks that Lever has missed, the Demons have gone from one of the best defensive profiles to one of the worst.

Through the first nine games of 2024, the Demons conceded just 67.4 points per game; the second-lowest in the competition.

Since losing Lever, they have conceded an average of 99.3 points (16th), with the 62 points from St Kilda in round 11 the lowest total conceded during that month.

With no Lever to help Steven May, the Demons are gasping for air and would be thrilled with the bye round to help reset.

May was found-out at times against a smaller, more nimble Collingwood forward line.

He struggled in the match-up against Will Hoskin-Elliott, getting dragged up the ground and away from the goals. But that is not his strength, with Melbourne a much more assured defensive presence when he is close to goal and playing against the bigger key forwards.

Melbourne’s recent form has emphasised the importance of Jake Lever. Picture: Michael Klein

NO ANSWER FOR KEY MATCH-UPS

While May and Lever are very reliable lockdown defenders, both can play off their man and impact aerially in the intercept game as well, turning defensive moments into offensive thrusts.

But now Lever is out of the side, suddenly key forwards are taking a hold of Melbourne’s defensive unit.

When up against the Demons, West Coast duo Jake Waterman (five goals) and Jack Darling (three goals) were dominant, while Saint Max King (three goals) had his equal-best return for the season, Dockers’ Jye Amiss (four goals), Josh Treacy (three goals) and Luke Jackson (three goals) embarrassed the Demons and then Magpie Nathan Kreuger (three goals) starred in his first AFL game in 407 days.

Before the Lever injury, Melbourne had not conceded more than two goals to any key forward.

Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron and Geelong’s Ollie Henry, both lead-up medium-size forwards, kicked three goals each against the Demons, but May and Lever kept opposing talls in check.

The makeshift key defensive stocks are not working, with Tom McDonald forced to fill in Lever’s role on key forwards, rather than playing as a third tall defender.

PRESSURE LACKING WITH NEW-LOOK STRUCTURE

Even when teams were getting looks at goals when Lever was playing, their suppressive pressure meant the forwards were rushed and not taking opportunities.

Before Lever’s injury, Melbourne conceded a goal on 43 per cent of their opponents’ shots, which ranked second in the league.

In the past four rounds, that rate has ballooned out to 58 per cent, which is now the second-worst (16th) across the AFL.

Melbourne’s back seven players has been pretty consistent, for the most part.

While May missed one game with fractured ribs earlier in the season, Trent Rivers and Judd McVee have both played every game, Tom McDonald has missed one week, Blake Howes was omitted twice, and Christian Salem has played 10 games.

Adam Tomlinson has looked good when he has played, but Simon Goodwin can’t find a place for him in the defensive unit, despite him averaging 18.3 disposals, five marks and four tackles in his three games in 2024.

Lever is expected to play after the round 14 bye, with that return against North Melbourne not coming a moment too soon.

Originally published as Jake Lever’s importance to Melbourne backline highlighted by poor form during defender’s absence after surgery