I have no doubt we would have been looking at him, perhaps as recently as a few weeks back. But Mahoney himself has publicly volunteered Petracca, Brayshaw, McCartin and Wright as the final 4 on our shortlist. He has no reason to be lying through his teeth, as St.Kilda are the only team to pick ahead of us and all the players will be gone by our next pick.

Don't believe anything you here as gospel from any club or manager says in the media this time of year mate. I'm Not saying we'll take him, just that he is of high interest to us.

You are paraphrasing inaccurately.

https://soundcloud.com/sen1116/the-run-home-melbournes-josh-mahoney

He says the shortlist is down to 3-4 at 5.42 then at 6.48 rattles off Brayshaw, Petracca, McCartin and Wright as the four "around the mark".

I think that's pretty easy to read between the lines. Unless you think Mahoney is telling porkies (for no good reason) or Lever will magically re-appear on our shortlist before draft day then he won't be a Demon.

it took some convincing, but now I am finally on the Jake Lever side. Looks a competitive beast!

I'm hoping for Brayshaw & Lever...

This kid has the X factor we need and looks as though he is very versatile in where he can play.

Looks like he could be a midfielder and has a hint of Kouta in his highlights!

He is elusive and can run and carry, can take a grab and looks as though he is an accurate kick. And I like the fact he can kick the ball long.

Yes he has had a knee reco! But I think he is worth Pick 3.

He'll be ours, I'd say it's a certainty despite what's been said.

https://soundcloud.com/sen1116/the-run-home-melbournes-josh-mahoney

He says the shortlist is down to 3-4 at 5.42 then at 6.48 rattles off Brayshaw, Petracca, McCartin and Wright as the four "around the mark".

I think that's pretty easy to read between the lines. Unless you think Mahoney is telling porkies (for no good reason) or Lever will magically re-appear on our shortlist before draft day then he won't be a Demon.

"At the moment"...

as the four "around the mark".

Fairly vague language, and most phantom drafts will offer them up as the top four.

I don't think you could declare anything a certainty until draft day, but I feel Lever is still very much in our calculations.

I have no doubt we would have been looking at him, perhaps as recently as a few weeks back. But Mahoney himself has publicly volunteered Petracca, Brayshaw, McCartin and Wright as the final 4 on our shortlist. He has no reason to be lying through his teeth, as St.Kilda are the only team to pick ahead of us and all the players will be gone by our next pick.

?

He has every reason to be lying through his teeth.

The real question is why he'd tell the truth.

?

He has every reason to be lying through his teeth.

The real question is why he'd tell the truth.

"Every reason" such as ... ?

We have picks 2 and 3. Then don't appear again until the third round. He has nothing to lose from making the 3-4 names public knowledge. It won't affect what St.Kilda does at pick 1 and it won't affect what the teams after us do. Most importantly, it won't affect our next pick.

There's no need for the mind games that you often see in trade week and through the season. That's why Mahoney was quite happy to make the names public when he was asked. He didn't have to.

If we were seriously considering Lever then Mahoney would have dropped his name in there.

"Every reason" such as ... ?

We have picks 2 and 3. Then don't appear again until the third round. He has nothing to lose from making the 3-4 names public knowledge. It won't affect what St.Kilda does at pick 1 and it won't affect what the teams after us do. Most importantly, it won't affect our next pick.

There's no need for the mind games that you often see in trade week and through the season. That's why Mahoney was quite happy to make the names public when he was asked. He didn't have to.

If we were seriously considering Lever then Mahoney would have dropped his name in there.

Not necessarily, it could be an honest omission or as it seemed he was just naming the 4 that everyone has been naming. His let out was at the moment, in other words we might take two of these 4 or we might take someone else.

The two best players at17yo aren't always the best players at 22yo.....

Just sayin....

Disagree - have a look at the last 5 drafts from 2009 back... - pretty much the best two 17 years at draft time are NEVER the best players at 22 !

Not necessarily, it could be an honest omission or as it seemed he was just naming the 4 that everyone has been naming. His let out was at the moment, in other words we might take two of these 4 or we might take someone else.

Fair enough, an honest omission is possible. Let's wait and see. I'm pretty confident it will be out of those 4 and this thread will die (until Lever plays a breakout game at another team, of course).

i reckon this Lever kid has a lot of pull

has that been done already?

"Every reason" such as ... ?

We have picks 2 and 3. Then don't appear again until the third round. He has nothing to lose from making the 3-4 names public knowledge. It won't affect what St.Kilda does at pick 1 and it won't affect what the teams after us do. Most importantly, it won't affect our next pick.

There's no need for the mind games that you often see in trade week and through the season. That's why Mahoney was quite happy to make the names public when he was asked. He didn't have to.

If we were seriously considering Lever then Mahoney would have dropped his name in there.

Not sure how you could say that with a straight face.

If there's no point playing funny buggers, why does everyone always do it?

Why would St Kilda not nominate their preference now?

Not sure how you could say that with a straight face.

If there's no point playing funny buggers, why does everyone always do it?

Why would St Kilda not nominate their preference now?

Exactly! We wouldn't 'really' reveal our hand at all, he gave a brush off answer about the top 4 that everyone's asking about because they started asking him directly about each one by one. Of course we don't want to reveal anything to st Kilda, just like st Kilda won't reveal anything till draft day either. There is nothing to gain by making announcements prematurely, especially when there is a club ahead of you, it's just not done. All other clubs who heard what Mahoney said would've walked away saying 'yep, that really gave us nothing'. I g'tee it, most would already be assuming we're looking at those 4 and potentially a few others, especially if they had some inside 'mail', regardless of whatever Mahoney said on SEN.

Wait till Emma Quayle's phantom draft. Usually spot on with the early picks.

i reckon this Lever kid has a lot of pull

has that been done already?

He's all torque and no action.

Was told we are taking him as pick 3 today. Would prefer laverde but that's life

Was told we are taking him as pick 3 today. Would prefer laverde but that's life

What's your sources line of work? How did he come by this info?

To anyone that has seen Lever play, what is his contested ball wining ability like at ground level? Also does he have clean hands & composure in congested areas? He is obviously extremely talented, can take a contested mark & provide run & carry.

From what I can tell the doubts or knocks are his kicking & ability to run through the midfield due to not playing there & his knee injury. Is he the type of player that Hawthorn or Geelong would take? They seem to have a pre-requisite for clean handling & efficient ball use under pressure & I'm wondering if Lever is that type of player?

I read somewhere that Lever has a reach of 204cm (will confirm) which gives him a ruckman's reach. He also has the qualities that go with being an elite boxer. That is coordination, endurance, strength, balance, speed and grit.

I haven't seen him in person but have a mate that has seen a lot of him. Those boxing traits all come through into his football. He is fearless. He has the tools in his game to be a versatile player.

I need to find out how he did his knee, whether it was one of those innocuous ones which may indicate a weakness or whether it was a collision or fall. If the knees are sound and I am sure the club will do their diligence, I would be rapt to see him in the red and blue.

To anyone that has seen Lever play, what is his contested ball wining ability like at ground level? Also does he have clean hands & composure in congested areas? He is obviously extremely talented, can take a contested mark & provide run & carry.

From what I can tell the doubts or knocks are his kicking & ability to run through the midfield due to not playing there & his knee injury. Is he the type of player that Hawthorn or Geelong would take? They seem to have a pre-requisite for clean handling & efficient ball use under pressure & I'm wondering if Lever is that type of player?

Lever is an absolute competitive beast.

Loves to tackle and hurt blokes when he does it. Lever was set to play in the midfield for the Cannons this year until he did his knee. A big 193cm agile guy running through the midfield is definitely a handy acquisition.

Lever also captained Vic Metro under 18s last year as a bottom ager which inluded the likes of Salem, Bontempelli, Boyd, Billings etc.. It is a huge endorsement toward his leadership which is something Paul Roos craves in terms of building a culture.

He was also in charge of the rehab group for the AIS overseas due to his boxing experience. Angus Brayshaw has mentioned he flogged the group with his workout. Also did some coaching with the Cannons midfield group this year to help his development out aswell.

I know at the start Icompared this bloke to Fyfe when watching the highlights. But the more I see and watch his style through the draft hub I have tk say he is the closest thing to Luke Hodge in terms of leadership and his courage to throw himself back into packs. He is a general and will do the team things that will inspire teamates.

Am certain he will give us a lift!

Skinny or not this kid is a go'er..... Would stick a rocket up Watts & few others on our list to see a 'skinny' (but not weak physically or mentally, just thin in the athletic mould) kid attack balls & contests despite his frame!! Obviously only if his knee checks out...... Otherwise prefer the look of Laverde more than Wright or McCartin personally.

I'm all for getting him, so long as he doesn't turn out to be a crank.

Sigh.