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Lever “blindsided” and “disrespected” by Demons axing
Andrew Slevison • July 9th, 2025 10:00 am
Melbourne’s Jake Lever felt he was blindsided by his recent Melbourne axing.
The premiership defender was dropped for the club’s Round 16 clash with Gold Coast, which they lost by 19 points, before he returned for last weekend’s defeat to his former club Adelaide.
According to Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris, the decision of Demons coach Simon Goodwin to omit Lever has left the 29-year-old with a sour taste in his mouth.
“What I can tell you about Jake Lever is that he was so angry when he got dropped,” Morris said on Footy Classified.
“He felt he was blindsided, as a result he felt he was disrespected. He’s not the only player that’s going to be frustrated and angry when they get dropped.
“But for a senior player to feel this way, other clubs believe this is a watch now in this year’s trade period.
“He’s contracted until the end of 2028. Rival clubs are aware of how frustrated he was and how angry he was, and they’re just keeping an eye on it now.”
Quizzed on the “blindsided” element of the Lever omission, Morris added: “He had no idea that even being left out was an option.
“I’m not contending that that is right or wrong, I’m just saying that is how he felt.”
Morris also posted on X: “Jake Lever didn’t see being dropped coming. It came out of nowhere and it angered him at the time. Rival clubs are aware of this and are watching his situation closely.
“But he’s a pro. He went back, played VFL, and there is no suggestion of any lingering unrest.”
The All-Australian had 17 touches and took 13 marks in the VFL against the Suns the week he was dropped from the seniors.
Lever’s Demons teammate Jack Viney admits the defender has been struggling a little bit with consistency due to niggling issues.
But he felt Lever dealt with the axing well and returned to the senior lineup with intent against the Crows with 10 marks and 14 disposals.
“We love Jake, he’s so important to us,” Viney said on SEN Breakfast.
“The poor bloke had some of the most inconsistent football with his body over the off-season and even during the season. His consistency was really challenged.
“So, ‘Goody’ made the call to just try and get some continuity in his football. He went down and played VFL for one week and played extremely strongly.
“I thought he was in terrific form for us on the weekend. Jake being the competitor he is, I’m sure he was frustrated, but it was what Goody and the coaches thought was best for his football.”
Lever has played 129 games for the Dees since joining from the Crows in 2017. He is contracted until 2028.
