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Jake Lever
Jake Lever
Jake Lever
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Jake Lever (born 5 March 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A defender, 1.95 metres (6 ft 5 in) tall and weighing 89 kilograms (196 lb), Lever plays primarily as a half-back and is known for his intercept marking and ability to read the play. Originally from Romsey, Victoria, he played top-level football at a young age when he played with the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, and represented and captained Victoria in the AFL Under 18 Championships as a bottom-aged player. He suffered a serious knee injury which forced him to miss the entire season in his final junior year.

Key Information

Despite being one of the top prospects heading into the 2014 AFL draft, he slipped through to pick fourteen and was recruited by the Adelaide Football Club. He made his debut during the 2015 season and received an AFL Rising Star nomination. He spent three seasons at Adelaide, in which he played in a grand final, was named in the All-Australian squad, named in the 22under22 team three times, and won the emerging talent award at Adelaide. After fifty-six matches with Adelaide, he joined the Melbourne Football Club during the 2017 trade period.

Early life

[edit]

Lever was born to Alan and Narelle Lever on 5 March 1996 and was raised in Romsey, Victoria.[1] He started his junior football career with the Romsey-Lancefield Rangers in the Riddell District Junior Football League at eight years of age. After playing as a midfielder and forward throughout his junior career, he played full-back in the 2011 Under 15 Victorian Championships and played in the back-line again the next year in the Under-16 National Championships for Victoria Metro despite kicking thirty-three goals in three weeks in the Romsey under-16s; in the same season, he captained the Calder Cannons at under 16 level.[2] He played senior football with the Romsey Football Club in the Riddell District Football League at sixteen years of age and played in the grand final in 2012.[3]

In late 2012, Lever received a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) when he was named in the AIS/AFL Academy level one squad as part of their 2013 intake.[4] He played for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup as a bottom-aged player in 2013.[5] He played fourteen matches for the season, including the preliminary final loss to the Dandenong Stingrays,[6] and finished third in the best and fairest count.[7] He averaged eighteen disposals, five rebound 50s and three intercept marks for the season.[8] He received mid-year honours when he represented Vic Metro in the 2013 AFL Under 18 Championships, playing in four matches and captaining one of the matches despite being a bottom-aged player.[9]

For the second consecutive year, Lever was a part of the AIS/AFL Academy when he was named in the level two squad as part of the 2014 intake.[10] In November 2013, as part of academy training, he jarred his knee which scans later revealed he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).[11] He spent the 2014 season in the coaches box with the Calder Cannons and Vic Metro, a move which he later described was motivated by wanting to coach after finishing his playing career.[12] Despite missing the entire season due to the knee injury, he was still being touted as a top ten draft pick and was described by AFL Media journalist, Callum Twomey, as a "competitive and aggressive tall defender who can shut down opponents while also providing good rebound...his leadership is excellent as is his work rate and feel for the game."[13] In addition to football, Lever was an avid boxer and was nearly chosen to compete in the 2012 London Olympics. He started the sport in year seven to stay fit during the football off-season and had planned to participate in amateur fights during 2014, but was unable to due to his knee injury.[14][15]

AFL career

[edit]

2015–2016: Early career

[edit]

Heading into the 2014 national draft, Lever was linked to the Melbourne Football Club and was predicted to be selected as high as Melbourne's pick two or three,[16] however, he slipped through to the Adelaide Football Club's first selection and fourteenth overall in the draft.[17] After the coaching staff elected to take a cautions approach with Lever and not play him in the 2015 NAB Challenge,[18] he played his first match in over eighteen months when he played in a South Australian National Football League (SANFL) trial match against West Adelaide in early April.[19] He made his SANFL debut in Adelaide's first match of the year in the three point loss to North Adelaide at Prospect Oval in round two and was named in Adelaide's best players.[20] After playing in a handful of matches in the SANFL, his form was publicly praised by then-Adelaide coach, Phil Walsh,[21] and he was named to make his AFL debut in round six against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.[22] He recorded seventeen disposals at eighty-eight percent efficiency, ten marks and three tackles.[1]

In his fourth match, he recorded seventeen disposals and five marks in the eleven point loss to Fremantle at the Adelaide Oval in round nine and was named in the AFL Media's team of the week.[23] In the same match, he injured his ankle which saw him miss three weeks of football before returning through the SANFL.[24][25] He returned to the senior side for the round fifteen match against West Coast at Domain Stadium.[26] Two weeks later in his seventh AFL match, he was named the round nominee for the AFL Rising Star after recording twenty-four disposals at ninety-two percent efficiency, ten marks and seven rebound-50s in the forty-five point win against Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval in round seventeen.[27] He was highly praised for his performance in the match by Adelaide's caretaker coach, Scott Camporeale, who said "he's a great competitor...he's going to be a 200-game player of this footy club and a real leader."[28]

He played the remainder of the home and away season apart from the round twenty-one match against Brisbane at the Adelaide Oval due to being rested.[29] Despite the club qualifying for finals, he was omitted for the finals campaign and played twelve matches in total for the season.[30] His season was commended by his coaches due to his maturity and professional approach and he received the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy,[31] in addition to Adelaide's defensive coach, Darren Milburn, stating Lever could become one of the AFL's elite defenders.[32] He was recognised as one of the top young players in the competition when he finished fourth in AFL Players Association (AFLPA) best first year player award,[33] eighth in the AFL Rising Star award[34] and was named as the centre half-back in the 22under22 team.[35]

Lever's second season saw him play every match for the year averaging sixteen disposals and five marks from twenty-four matches, in addition to finishing sixth in the league for intercept possessions with 176.[36] His continual growth in defence drew public approval from the media including The Advertiser's journalists, Scott Walsh and Reece Romfray, with the former highlighting his "ability to read, and squash, opposition entries to the forward 50" and the latter stating he was the "captain in waiting" for Adelaide.[37][15] He was commended for his performance in the fifty-eight point win against Port Adelaide in round two by former Port Adelaide player, Kane Cornes, who labelled the match his break out game, in which he recorded nineteen disposals, ten marks and six rebound 50s.[38] He earned AFL Media team of the week honours for the sixty point win against Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round sixteen.[39]

Lever kicked the first goal of his career late in the season in the round twenty-one match against Fremantle at Domain Stadium, playing on from a mark and baulking two Fremantle defenders before kicking the goal, his effort was nominated as the goal of the round.[40] After being omitted from the finals during his first season, he played his first finals match in the elimination final against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval; the club won the match, but went on to lose to Sydney in the semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[41] His season was rewarded with selection in the 22under22 team for the second consecutive season as the centre half-back[42] and the "20in2020" team, a team comprising the best twenty players drafted from the previous four AFL Academy intakes.[43] He finished third in the AFL Coaches Association best young player award[44] and won the emerging talent award at Adelaide.[45]

2017–present: Contract speculation and move to Melbourne

[edit]
Lever in the AFL Grand Final parade in September 2017

Entering the 2017 season, Lever was predicted to be Adelaide's greatest emerging talent by Fox Sports Australia journalist, Riley Beveridge,[46] however, after sustaining a hamstring injury during the pre-season,[47] he played his first match of the year in a SANFL trial match during the same weekend as the opening round of the AFL season.[48] He returned to the AFL for the seventeen point win against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval in round three.[49] He played the next four matches before missing the round eight match against Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval due to a hamstring injury[50] and returned the next week for the eighty point win against Brisbane at the Gabba.[51] He suffered his third hamstring injury for the season during the round seventeen match against Melbourne at TIO Stadium[52] and consequently missed the next two matches.[53] He returned for the eighty-four point win against Post Adelaide in round twenty in which was his fiftieth AFL match.[54]

He played every match for the remainder of the year helping Adelaide win the minor premiership[55] and reach the club's first grand final since 1998 with Adelaide losing the match to Richmond by forty-eight points.[56] Playing twenty matches in total, his season was rewarded with selection in the initial forty man All-Australian squad[57] and he was named the centre half-back in the 22under22 team for the third consecutive season.[58] Labelled the best young key defender in the league by former Melbourne captain, Garry Lyon,[59] Lever was named the next Alex Rance—a four time All-Australian defender—by Riley Beveridge,[60] due to his intercept marking and ability to read the play.[61] Furthermore, he ranked first in the league for intercept possessions with 9.5 per match and second for intercept marks with 3.6 per match.[62]

After entering the 2017 season out of contract, much of the season was spent speculating about whether he would stay at Adelaide or return to Victoria at the end of the season with the speculation beginning in January with an article in The Advertiser by Warren Partland.[63] Lever indicated early in the season he planned on signing another contract with Adelaide,[64] but was waiting until the collective bargaining agreement was finalised between the AFL and AFLPA.[65] The speculation surrounding his contract peaked in August when he terminated his weekly segment with radio station, FIVEaa; although he cited "distractions" as the reason and wanting to focus on finals, Mark Bickley, a co-host of the show offered an alternative reason by suggesting he may have already made his decision to leave Adelaide.[66] In addition, he publicly declared he was putting off contract negotiations until the end of the season.[67] With his strong form during the season, journalists stated that his price tag would continue to rise[68][69] and Victorian clubs, Collingwood, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, publicly announced their interest in signing him.[70][71][72]

Three days after the grand final, Lever announced on Seven News Melbourne he had requested a trade to the Melbourne Football Club.[73] The announcement drew major backlash with the perception that he had made his decision to leave Adelaide before the grand final; former Adelaide coach, Graham Cornes, stated he would have left Lever out of the grand final side[74] and The Advertiser journalist, Michelangelo Rucci, reported senior Adelaide players wanted him dropped for the grand final.[75] Furthermore, he did not attend Adelaide's best and fairest night with Lever's manager saying he was advised not to attend by Adelaide,[76] while the wife of Adelaide's Chief Executive Officer retorted by stating Lever chose not to attend the night.[77] He was officially traded to Melbourne during the trade period.[78]

Statistics

[edit]

Updated to the end of the 2025 season.[79]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
  #  
 Played in that season's 
premiership team
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2015 Adelaide 6 12 0 0 108 56 164 60 14 0.0 0.0 9.0 4.7 13.7 5.0 1.2 0
2016 Adelaide 6 24 2 3 248 130 378 124 24 0.1 0.1 10.3 5.4 15.8 5.2 1.0 0
2017 Adelaide 6 20 1 1 208 112 320 125 35 0.1 0.1 10.4 5.6 16.0 6.3 1.8 1
2018 Melbourne 8 11 0 0 114 45 159 54 18 0.0 0.0 10.4 4.1 14.5 4.9 1.6 1
2019 Melbourne 8 8 0 0 77 40 117 55 3 0.0 0.0 9.6 5.0 14.6 6.9 0.4 0
2020[a] Melbourne 8 17 0 0 121 57 178 75 26 0.0 0.0 7.1 3.4 10.5 4.4 1.5 0
2021# Melbourne 8 25 0 1 242 147 389 136 44 0.0 0.0 9.7 5.9 15.6 5.4 1.8 5
2022 Melbourne 8 19 1 0 136 90 226 88 32 0.1 0.0 7.2 4.7 11.9 4.6 1.7 1
2023 Melbourne 8 24 0 0 194 145 339 129 25 0.0 0.0 8.1 6.0 14.1 5.4 1.0 0
2024 Melbourne 8 18 1 0 159 84 243 107 23 0.1 0.0 8.8 4.7 13.5 5.9 1.3 0
2025 Melbourne 8 8 0 0 54 42 96 45 13 0.0 0.0 6.8 5.3 12.0 5.6 1.6 0
Career[80] 186 5 5 1661 948 2609 998 257 0.0 0.0 8.9 5.1 14.0 5.4 1.4 8

Notes

  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honours and achievements

[edit]

Team

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jake Lever

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jake Lever (born 5 March 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays as a key defender for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Selected by the Adelaide Football Club with the 14th pick in the 2014 national draft, Lever made his AFL debut in 2015 and played 56 games for the Crows over three seasons, including their 2017 Grand Final appearance. Lever requested a at the end of the 2017 season and joined in the 2017 off-season exchange period, where he has since played over 130 games, reaching a career total of 186 matches as of 2025. Known for his intercepting ability, rebounding skills, and competitive marking, he wears number 8 for the Demons and has established himself as one of the league's elite defenders. Among his major achievements, Lever was nominated for the award in 2015 during his debut season with and was selected in the AFL Players Association's 22Under22 team for three consecutive years (2015–2017). With , he played a pivotal role in their 2021 premiership victory, earning All-Australian honors that year, and finished third in the club's count in 2023. As of November 2025, Lever remains an active and integral part of 's backline, continuing to contribute to the team's defensive structure.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Jake Lever was born on 5 March 1996 to parents Alan and Narelle Lever. He grew up in , a small town in Victoria's Macedon Ranges region, where his family owned a 15-acre farm on which he lived until age 18. Lever's upbringing was steeped in rural life and family support for his sporting pursuits. His parents frequently drove him 45 minutes each way to training sessions with the TAC Cup team, fostering his early development as a footballer. On the farm, he spent much of his childhood riding motorbikes across the paddocks, kicking a football, and using a cricket net built by his father. The family later maintained a property in nearby Lancefield, maintaining their ties to the Macedon Ranges area. He is the eldest of four children, with three younger siblings consisting of two brothers and one sister. This close-knit family dynamic influenced his 2017 trade request from back to , as he sought to be nearer to his parents and siblings.

Junior career and draft prospects

Lever began his junior football career with the Romsey-Lancefield Rangers in the Riddell District Junior Football League, where he showed early promise as a versatile player capable of contributing across multiple positions. By 2012, at age 16, he had progressed to the ' under-16 Barry Davis squad, which he captained, and was selected to represent Victoria Metro at the under-16 National Championships, also serving as their captain. That year, Lever demonstrated scoring prowess, booting 33 goals over three weeks for Romsey's under-16 side, highlighting his athleticism and competitiveness before transitioning primarily to defense. In 2013, as a bottom-aged (17-year-old) player, Lever emerged as a standout defender for the in the TAC Cup, playing 11 matches and averaging 19.2 disposals (12.4 kicks and 6.8 handballs), along with strong marking and intercepting ability. His performances earned him selection in the 2013 TAC Cup Team of the Year as one of only two bottom-agers, alongside . Lever also represented Vic Metro at the AFL Under-18 Championships, captaining the side in one match across four appearances, as they finished runners-up with a 4-1 record. His leadership and on-field dominance that year positioned him as a top-two or top-three draft prospect among recruiters. Lever's trajectory was interrupted in November 2013 when he ruptured his (ACL) during a NAB AFL Academy training camp on the Gold Coast, sidelining him for the entire 2014 season. Undergoing reconstruction surgery shortly after, he adopted a cautious rehabilitation approach, focusing on a pre-season return rather than rushing back mid-year. During recovery, Lever contributed off-field by coaching the and Vic Metro teams, gaining insights into the game while completing his rehab. Despite the injury raising concerns about his durability, Lever's pre-injury form kept him in high regard entering the 2014 NAB , where he tested adequately upon returning to full fitness: 3.19 seconds in the 20m sprint and 10 minutes 32 seconds in the 3km time trial. Viewed as a competitive, aggressive key defender with excellent game-reading and aerial strength, he was still projected as a first-round selection, though with some attached to his knee. selected him at pick 14 overall in the 2014 national draft, valuing his potential as a long-term intercepting backman.

AFL career

Adelaide tenure (2015–2017)

Lever was selected by the Adelaide Crows with their first pick, number 14 overall, in the 2014 AFL National Draft after a standout junior career with the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. He made his AFL debut in round six of the 2015 season against the Gold Coast Suns at People’s Choice Home Loans Oval, recording 15 disposals and seven marks in a 96-point victory. Over the course of the season, Lever played 12 games, primarily as a key defender, averaging 13.7 disposals and 5.0 marks per game while contributing to the Crows' backline stability. His breakout performance came in round 17 against the Suns, where he amassed 24 disposals and 10 marks, earning him the AFL Rising Star nomination for that round and later votes in the overall award. In 2016, Lever solidified his position in Adelaide's defense, playing all 24 home-and-away games and featuring in the club's Elimination and Semi-Finals losses. He averaged 15.8 disposals and 5.2 marks per game, with notable intercepting ability highlighted by 66 rebound 50s for the season, helping the Crows reach the finals for the second consecutive year. Lever also kicked his first career goals, two in total, including one in a win over in round 13. His development earned him selection in the AFL Under 22 squad for the second straight year. Lever's 2017 season saw him play 20 games, averaging 16.0 disposals and 6.3 marks, as topped the ladder with 16 wins. He contributed significantly in , featuring in the Qualifying Final win over the Gold Coast, the Preliminary Final victory against , and the Grand Final loss to Richmond by 48 points at the , where he recorded 14 disposals. His consistent performances as an intercepting defender led to his inclusion in the 40-man All-Australian squad and a third consecutive AFL Under 22 team selection. Over his three seasons at , Lever played 56 games, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the club's backline.

Trade to Melbourne (2017)

In the lead-up to the 2017 AFL trade period, Jake Lever, who was out of contract at the end of the season after playing 56 games for since being drafted in 2014, entered negotiations for a long-term extension with . offered what they described as a lucrative deal that would have made Lever their highest-paid player, but he rejected it, citing a desire to return to his home state of Victoria for family reasons. On October 3, 2017, shortly after 's loss to Richmond, Lever formally nominated as his preferred destination, having already agreed in principle to a four-year with the Demons reportedly worth nearly $3.5 million. Negotiations between the clubs intensified, with Adelaide indicating they would require two first-round draft picks to facilitate the trade, a stance influenced by Lever's status as a 21-year-old All-Australian squad member who had averaged 3.8 intercept marks per game in 2017. , viewing Lever as a key defensive addition for both immediate and long-term impact, met the demands on October 11, 2017, trading their 2017 first-round pick (No. 10), 2018 first-round pick, and 2018 fourth-round pick to in exchange for Lever, 's 2017 second-round pick (No. 35), and 2018 third-round pick. The deal was described by 's head of football, Burton, as a fair outcome for both parties, while football manager Josh Mahoney emphasized Lever's professionalism and potential as a decade-long asset. The trade marked a significant acquisition for , bolstering their backline with a player who had been a nominee and was seen as one of the league's premier young intercept defenders. , despite their reluctance, wished Lever well, with list manager noting the resolution allowed the club to focus on their premiership defense efforts.

Melbourne career (2018–2021)

Lever joined the Football Club via trade from at the end of the 2017 season, arriving as a highly touted key defender expected to bolster the Demons' backline. He made his debut for Melbourne in Round 1 of 2018 against , where he showed early promise with his intercepting ability. Over the first 10 games, Lever averaged 14.5 disposals and 2.5 intercepts per match, ranking seventh among key defenders in AFL Player Ratings and 11th league-wide for intercepts. His standout performance came in Round 9 against Carlton, recording 27 disposals and five rebound 50s. However, his season was cut short in Round 11 against the when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), limiting him to 11 games and requiring reconstructive surgery. In 2019, Lever returned from ACL rehabilitation in May, playing his first VFL game for before a rapid recall to the senior side amid Melbourne's injury crisis. He featured in eight AFL matches, averaging 14.6 disposals but struggled with consistency due to lingering effects from surgery and minor ailments, including an ankle roll during VFL play that cleared scans but delayed his rhythm. Despite the challenges, Lever contributed to defensive stability, particularly in intercept marking, though the Demons finished 11th on the ladder. His limited output reflected a cautious reintegration, with coach noting the need for patience in his recovery. The 2020 season, shortened to 17 home-and-away games due to the , saw Lever play all 17 matches for , establishing himself as a cornerstone of the backline. He averaged 10.5 disposals and 4.4 marks per game, with a team-high nine intercepts in a key win over in Round 5. Pairing effectively with recruits like , Lever helped reach the preliminary finals, finishing third on the ladder. His composure under pressure and rebounding from defence were pivotal, as he ranked among the league's top interceptors. No major injuries disrupted his campaign, allowing for a full season of development. Lever's 2021 season marked a career breakthrough, playing 25 games as topped the ladder and won the premiership—the club's first since 1964. He led the AFL with 94 intercept marks and averaged 15.6 disposals, 5.4 marks, and 4.1 intercepts per game, earning his first All-Australian selection as a back-pocket defender. In the finals series, Lever was instrumental, nullifying key forwards in the Grand Final victory over the . His leadership and elite reading of the play earned third place in 's best and fairest (Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy) and fifth in the Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy voting, solidifying his status as one of the competition's premier defenders.

Later years at Melbourne (2022–2025)

In 2022, Lever returned from a minor pre-season setback to play 19 games for , averaging 12.7 disposals, 7.2 kicks, and 5.5 handballs per match. He contributed to the Demons' strong start, helping secure 10 straight wins before the team finished fifth on the and exited the finals in straight sets, losing the qualifying final to by 14 points and the elimination final to by 40 points. Despite the team's late-season fade, Lever maintained composure in defense, notably recording a season-high 18 disposals and seven marks in round 10 against . However, he played through a in his foot during the finals series, which impacted his mobility. Lever's form elevated in 2023, where he featured in all 24 home-and-away games plus the qualifying final, averaging 14.1 disposals, 8.1 kicks, 6.0 handballs, and a league-second 3.0 intercept marks per game. His elite 8.2 intercept possessions per match anchored Melbourne's league-best defense, conceding the fewest points (72.8 per game), as the Demons finished seventh with 16 wins before a nine-point qualifying final loss to Collingwood. Standout moments included a clutch intercept mark on the siren against Brisbane in round 18 to seal a one-point victory and seven intercepts in round 23 against Hawthorn, earning the fans' player award. Off the field, he signed a four-year contract extension in September, committing to the club until the end of 2027. Lever placed third in the club's best-and-fairest count, praised for his aerial dominance and leadership alongside Steven May. The 2024 season proved challenging for Lever, limited to 18 games due to multiple soft-tissue injuries that sidelined him for six matches. He still averaged 13.5 disposals, 8.8 kicks, and 4.7 handballs, ranking third at the club with 46 intercept marks (2.6 per game) and leading the backline with seven intercepts per outing. A highlight was his round-eight performance against Richmond, where he tallied 26 disposals, 10 marks (including two contested), 11 contested possessions, and two clearances. Lever mentored emerging defender Blake Howes while partnering May to stabilize the defense during Melbourne's inconsistent campaign, which ended in 12th place with 11 wins and no appearance. In 2025, Lever's season was disrupted early by an ankle injury that led to surgery in April, causing him to miss eight weeks and limiting him to eight games overall. He averaged 12.0 disposals, 6.8 kicks, and 5.2 handballs upon return, showing renewed energy as noted by coach Simon Goodwin after a mid-season omission for round 16 against Gold Coast, which Lever described as blindsiding but motivational. Amid trade speculation linking him to North Melbourne, Lever reaffirmed his commitment to his contract in September, stating he had no intention of leaving. Melbourne struggled to a 7-16 record, finishing 15th and missing finals for the second straight year.

Statistics

Season-by-season data

Jake Lever's professional AFL career statistics, broken down by season, reflect his progression from a key defender at Adelaide to a cornerstone of Melbourne's backline. The data highlights his consistent involvement in games, with a focus on intercept possessions and marking ability, particularly evident in his peak seasons from 2021 onward. Below is a summary of his key metrics per season, including games played, disposals, kicks, handballs, marks, goals, and tackles.
SeasonTeamGamesDisposalsKicksHandballsMarksGoalsTackles
2015121641085660014
201624378248130124224
201720320208112125135
2018111591144554018
2019811777405503
2020171781215775026
202125389242147136044
2022192261369088132
202324339194145129025
20241824315984107123
2025896544245013
These figures underscore Lever's durability and defensive impact, with career-high disposals in coinciding with Melbourne's premiership success.

Career totals and averages

As of the conclusion of the 2025 AFL season, Jake Lever has accumulated 186 games across his career with the Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons. His statistical output reflects his role as a key defender, emphasizing intercept possessions, rebounding, and marking, with career totals demonstrating consistent involvement in defensive transitions. Lever's career averages highlight his efficiency in disposals and contested marking, averaging 14.0 disposals per game, including 8.9 kicks and 5.1 handballs, alongside 5.4 marks and 1.4 tackles. He has contributed modestly to scoring with 5 goals and 5 behinds, while recording 588 rebound 50s, underscoring his impact on initiating attacks from defense. These figures position him as a reliable backline asset, with limited offensive output typical for his position.
StatisticCareer TotalCareer Average (per game)
Games Played186-
Goals50.0
Kicks16618.9
Handballs9485.1
Disposals260914.0
Marks9985.4
Tackles2571.4
Rebound 50s5883.2
Brownlow Votes80.0
These totals and averages are derived from official AFL records up to November 2025.

Honours and achievements

Team honours

Lever contributed to the Adelaide ' strong 2017 season, where the team secured the minor premiership after finishing atop the AFL ladder with 15 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, earning the as recognition for the best overall record across home-and-away games. This achievement marked Adelaide's first minor premiership since 2005 and positioned them as favorites heading into the finals. Lever played 18 home-and-away games that year, providing key defensive support as the Crows advanced through the finals, defeating the GWS Giants in a qualifying final and in the preliminary final before reaching the grand final. In the , faced Richmond at the but suffered a 48-point defeat, with the Tigers claiming the premiership. featured in the losing side, recording 15 disposals in a attended by over 100,000 fans. 's move to proved pivotal for his team success. He was a key member of the Demons' 2021 premiership team, which ended a 57-year drought by defeating the by 74 points in the grand final at Optus Stadium. played 25 games that season, including all finals, and contributed significantly to Melbourne's defensive structure during their finals campaign, which saw them overcome in a qualifying final and in a preliminary final. This victory represented Melbourne's 13th VFL/AFL premiership. No further major team honours have been achieved by Lever's clubs up to the 2025 season, though reached in multiple years during his tenure, including a semi-final in 2022 and a qualifying final in 2023. No finals appearances in 2024 or 2025.

Individual accolades

Lever's early promise at was recognized with a nomination for the award in Round 17 of the 2015 season, after he recorded 24 disposals and 10 marks in a dominant defensive display against the Gold Coast Suns. That year, he earned selection in the AFL Players' Association's inaugural 22Under22 team, which honors the league's top players under 22 years old. In 2016, Lever continued his ascent by securing a spot in the 22Under22 team for the second consecutive season, as voted by fans from a 40-player . He also won Adelaide's Emerging Talent Award, recognizing the best all-round player under 21, ahead of a competitive field of young talents. Additionally, coaches across the league voted him third in the AFL Coaches' Association Best Young Player Award, based on consistent performances in 20 games that season. Lever completed a hat-trick of 22Under22 selections in 2017, joining Adelaide teammate Matt Crouch in the fan-voted side after a strong preliminary final campaign. His intercept marking and game-reading ability that year led to inclusion in the 40-man All-Australian squad, though he did not make the final team. After transferring to Melbourne, Lever's form peaked in 2021, culminating in his selection to the All-Australian team as a back-pocket defender, rewarding a season of elite aerial contests and 18.4 average disposals per game. Within the club, he finished fifth in the best and fairest count, earning the Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy for his contributions to the premiership-winning defense. In 2023, Lever placed third in Melbourne's Snr Memorial Trophy , behind winner and runner-up , after averaging 19.1 disposals and leading the competition in intercept marks.

References

  1. https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/afl-players/jake-lever
  2. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/players/856/jake-lever
  3. https://www.afl.com.au/players/856/jake-lever
  4. https://www.footyinfo.com/player/jake-lever
  5. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/adelaide/jake-levers-father-has-pleaded-with-adelaide-to-approve-trade-request-for-family-reasons/news-story/77a4a61fcfe71430e6b8236612b56af7
  6. https://au.sports.yahoo.com/jake-lever-saga-takes-big-twist-alana-fagan-says-untruths-37398028.html
  7. https://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/speakers/jake-lever/
  8. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/301662/levers-journey-romsey-to-melbourne
  9. https://sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/sport/romsey-product-jake-lever-on-his-road-to-the-grand-final/
  10. https://www.afc.com.au/news/314513/recruiting-files-lever
  11. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2014/06/11/how-injuries-affect-draft-stock/
  12. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2013/08/27/2013-tac-cup-team-of-the-year/
  13. https://www.afl.com.au/news/202162/let-me-off-the-leash-says-new-crow-lever
  14. https://www.afc.com.au/news/307138/pick-14-jake-lever
  15. https://www.afc.com.au/players/856/Jake-Lever
  16. http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-05-09/opportunity-knocks-lever-answers
  17. https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jake_Lever.html
  18. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-28/crows-defender-jake-lever-nominated-for-rising-star/6653080
  19. https://www.afc.com.au/news/448597/lever-polls-in-rising-star
  20. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/adelaides-jake-lever-officially-requests-trade-to-victorian-club-20171003-gytemt.html
  21. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/113291/melbourne-secures-lever-in-trade-deal
  22. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-tells-melbourne-it-wants-two-firstround-draft-picks-for-talented-defender-jake-lever/news-story/dbe7542425f46d6e0852f5b44c034fce
  23. https://www.afl.com.au/news/146236/done-deal-demons-pull-off-lever-trade
  24. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/271473/2018-review-lewis-to-brayshaw
  25. https://www.afl.com.au/news/133390/injury-relief-for-demons-after-scans-clear-star-defender
  26. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/236227/lever-makes-successful-return-from-injury
  27. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/742571/a-big-step-forward-for-lever
  28. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbourne-stars-steven-may-and-jake-lever-look-ready-to-repay-the-demons-sizeable-investment-in-2020/news-story/ef8bed370c218dd6b1d6db6f55e07ba1
  29. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1025963/21-season-jake-lever
  30. https://www.espn.com/afl/story/_/id/32031891/espn-2021-all-australian-team-makes-cut-misses-out
  31. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-melbourne-demons--jake-lever
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXVBOFKURPI
  33. https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/melbourne/melbourne-star-jake-lever-opens-up-on-2022-finals-injury-and-the-rise-of-jacob-van-rooyen-and-kade-chandler/news-story/ed7571886ff64a02d79be706b73a33f5
  34. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1463171/2023-player-review-jake-lever
  35. https://www.zerohanger.com/melbourne-defender-jake-lever-signs-new-long-term-extension-142901/
  36. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1685853/2024-season-review-master-of-the-air-jake-lever
  37. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1295829/melbourne-demons-suffer-huge-blow-as-key-defender-jake-lever-undergoes-ankle-surgery
  38. https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2025-melbourne-coach-simon-goodwin-has-turned-to-a-rejuvenated-jake-lever-for-adelaide-this-sunday/news-story/9f8a2000330ae32788d083ad09d93a81
  39. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/07/08/premiership-defender-blindsided-and-disrespected-by-demons-axing
  40. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/tv-wrap-jake-lever-declares-his-intentions-razor-calls-for-flopping-review/news-story/76cd94170a0d2200297a415b724153e0
  41. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-rumours-2025-north-melbourne-interest-in-melbourne-demons-defender-jake-lever-jack-silvagni-carlton-contract-update-oscar-allen-and-brandon-starcevich-free-agency-brisbane-lions-midweek-tackle/news-story/538b2c25de05b9f6d49a857368398f4c
  42. https://www.afc.com.au/news/297921/crows-receive-mcclelland-trophy
  43. https://crowshistory.afc.com.au/seasons/2017-afl
  44. https://www.afl.com.au/video/673123/finals-highlights-adelaide-v-gws-qf-2017?videoId=673123
  45. https://www.wheeloratings.com/afl_match_stats.html?ID=20172601
  46. https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/1438
  47. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/premiers
  48. https://www.afl.com.au/news/682605/demons-2021-report-card-the-season-from-heaven-57-years-in-the-making
  49. https://afltables.com/afl/teams/melbourne/season.html
  50. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_match_statistics?mid=6101
  51. https://www.afc.com.au/news/334753/seven-in-22under22-squad
  52. https://www.afc.com.au/news/63353/lever-an-emerging-talent
  53. https://www.afc.com.au/news/121316/lever-lauded-by-coaches
  54. https://www.afc.com.au/news/303943/crows-chosen-in-22under22
  55. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1041822/2021-best-and-fairest-all-the-winners
  56. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1447789/jake-lever-third-place-best-and-fairest?videoId=1447789&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1696593509001
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