Different but it smacks of the Weid being played for the first few games of last year and we know how that ended.

It's almost like Lever is only 22, and only 2 games in to his new club.

4 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

really? I've been following this team for over 20 years and i'm still finding it hard to understand how they play.

Mate try following them for over 50 years. You'll be putting the milk into the oven like I do,

17 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Different but it smacks of the Weid being played for the first few games of last year and we know how that ended.

DJ there is a substantial difference. Mr Lever was good enough to get a game in a GF. The Weid struggles at Casey.

Can't believe some of the comments in this thread.

Blimey it is two weeks into a new season. Didn't have a great first half against the cats, was ok in the second half (part of a back line that gave up 17 points in the second half on a perfect day for football - compare and contrast to the point the Hawks gave up last week) and was fine last week. 

And please, no more comments along the lines of 'how about we play him in the role we got him for'. 

Last time i checked he is a defender. He is playing as defender. I doubt he has a clause in his contract that he can swan around and be Captain Zone Man. Some make it sound like he has god given right to not have to play a man on man role.

Maybe, just maybe the coaching staff have a strategy in mind. For example freeing up Hibberd to play the sweeper, zone role given he is a much better and much more penetrating kick than Lever.  

Edited April 4, 20187 yr by binman

11 minutes ago, old dee said:

DJ there is a substantial difference. Mr Lever was good enough to get a game in a GF. The Weid struggles at Casey.

not comparing the players ability but rather the coaching approach in each instance OD.

Goody is a stubborn beast sometimes. Last season most of us could see that the Weid experiment was not working and it may well be that the Lever experiment isn't working either.

Logic suggests to me that you settle him in with what he is comfortable at (especially given the importance of a good start to the season ) and then experiment as the year goes on.

O well the coach is paid the money and as long as he bears the consequences I don't mind.

Just not sure I could stand another 2017

20 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

not comparing the players ability but rather the coaching approach in each instance OD.

Goody is a stubborn beast sometimes. Last season most of us could see that the Weid experiment was not working and it may well be that the Lever experiment isn't working either.

Logic suggests to me that you settle him in with what he is comfortable at (especially given the importance of a good start to the season ) and then experiment as the year goes on.

O well the coach is paid the money and as long as he bears the consequences I don't mind.

Just not sure I could stand another 2017

Ok I see my error

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

mmmmmmm so remind me why we gave up two first round draft picks and are paying big money if we already had an All Australian playing the same role.

Exactly what I said before we did the deal.

most of the posters on this site had never watched him play and thought he would supplant Oscar. He hasn't and he won't. In order to play him where he is accustomed to playing we will have to play Frost at one of the key defence positions and let Lever take the place of one of the smaller guys, probably Wagner, possibly Hunt.

25 minutes ago, old dee said:

Ok I see my error

No need to apologise... I should have been clearer

Big game coming up this weekend....the first of a few big tests for 2018

Now predicting 22 degrees for Saturday.... perfect footy weather

I am also off to Coburg on Sunday to watch Casey play so I can see the Weid first hand. Interested in seeing our other recruits as well.

He is a good player, and that hasn't changed all of a sudden.

He is definitely out of form, but I'm certain he will come back into form soon enough.

Not worried one bit yet.

Edited April 4, 20187 yr by Forest Demon

I think the issue is less with Lever - and more with opposition coaches isolating him - and therefore the coaching staff of Melbourne being about to work through the tactical challenges of the isolation and getting him back to the 3rd man up role. 

Kinda like, don't shoot the messenger - he's doing his role, and perhaps Goodwin et al could give the bloke a chop out.

He's not here to mind Gorilla's, yet has been isolated in round 1 (granted Esava was a first gamer... but can seriously play).

He'll be worth the coin.. and just like every 10 years, we look back a go - [censored] me, that wasn't actually a lot of money compared to now... kinda like houses on the coast

I don't really see the problem with Lever? Geelong targeted him, but as we all could see it was our forward and midfield pressure that allowed Geelong to rip us open. After half time Lever was apart of a defence that gave up 17 points and did his job. Don't think Lever did a thing wrong against Brisbane. He got sold into trouble by Tyson and Wagner a couple of times, but i think people are judging him on the fact Brisbane kicked 7 in a row. Why don't you look at the whole team like you should and not pick out a single player.

Imagine the ribbing lever would get if they heard of a thread title on a dees fan forum called 'be patient with lever'.

Poor jakey wakey.

30 minutes ago, MurDoc516 said:

I don't really see the problem with Lever? Geelong targeted him, but as we all could see it was our forward and midfield pressure that allowed Geelong to rip us open. After half time Lever was apart of a defence that gave up 17 points and did his job. Don't think Lever did a thing wrong against Brisbane. He got sold into trouble by Tyson and Wagner a couple of times, but i think people are judging him on the fact Brisbane kicked 7 in a row. Why don't you look at the whole team like you should and not pick out a single player.

He did many things wrong, his first contest he comes in from the side unimpeded and completely misses the ball, leaving his opponent on the ground front and center. Got away with it, but a player of his 'apparent' calibre should be doing better. 

He went up and spoiled Hogan for a mark when it was just the two of them.

He got away with punching Christensen in the head inside 50.

I'm sure there are countless other mistakes, these are just off the top of my head.

He is being judged harshly because he is probably our highest paid player.

Thread couldve been titled 'Leve Jakey Alone' You missed a golden opportunity! 

The only judgment im prepared to make at r2 is that Adelaide are [censored]! The minute the deal was done after claiming Lever was the second coming requiring 2 first round picks, they predictably switched to 'oh he's easily replaceable with Doedee'

So we probably shouldve held out on our initial offer imo but maybe it will prove unders eventually.

Edited April 4, 20187 yr by Doodle Dee

 

Be patient with Lever, I have no doubt in 5 years from now we will be have no regrets.

Are we able to send this article to him? [censored] I hate the Crows!

https://westlakesjournal.com/2018/04/03/report-jake-lever-trade-looking-pretty-damn-good-right-now/

 

Jake Lever trade looking pretty damn good right now

 

Last years blockbuster trade that saw Jake Lever traded to Melbourne for two first round picks is looking like a bloody masterstroke, a new report has revealed. 

While Lever has struggled having to play on a direct opponent, his red hot replacement Tom Doedee has thrived, earning a NAB Rising Star Nomination in just his second game.

Speaking exclusively to the Journal, Doedee appeared comfortable with the growing hype around his performances. “It’s been really good to come in to the team and play my role. I’ve had to wait for a little while to get a spot but it’s made me hungry to succeed. Turns out playing as the third defender is pretty easy when you’ve got Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan and Jake Kelly there crash packs and a future Brownlow medallist in Rory Laird at your feet.”

“What were Melbourne thinking paying $850,000?”

Meanwhile, rumours are circulating that the reason for Lever’s stunning drop in form is due to Melbourne coach and former Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin having little to no time for traitors.

Long time Melbourne fan Oliver Gilbert vented his frustrations.

“Goodwin is a Crows plant. I knew it all along. He has been put in that job by the Crows old boy network, and now Ricciuto is pulling the strings.” “This trade is worse than the one where we sent them Scott Thompson for a packet of chips.”

1 hour ago, Watts the matter said:

I'm sure there are countless other mistakes, these are just off the top of my head.

He is being judged harshly because he is probably our highest paid player.

That's such nonsense. You can't expect a player to not make mistakes just because they get paid more. 

3 hours ago, dl4e said:

Mate try following them for over 50 years. You'll be putting the milk into the oven like I do,

Is that a weird euphemism?

1 hour ago, Watts the matter said:

He got away with punching Christensen in the head inside 50.

Oh please

I have watched Jake since primary school and I have not doubt about his ability, dedication and application. Jake will be a gun for this club and a great mentor to others. 

2 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Oh please

I enjoyed it, but it was clearly a free kick.

59 minutes ago, John Lord said:

I have watched Jake since primary school and I have not doubt about his ability, dedication and application. Jake will be a gun for this club and a great mentor to others. 

Well, goodonya John. You must be seeing things others cannot! 

2 hours ago, MurDoc516 said:

That's such nonsense. You can't expect a player to not make mistakes just because they get paid more. 

Your exact words were "Don't think Lever did a thing wrong against Brisbane."

Now that is nonsense if I have ever heard it.

It's not just about mistakes, he is giving us nothing more than a fringe player would have this far.

2 hours ago, Jibroni said:

 

Be patient with Lever, I have no doubt in 5 years from now we will be have no regrets.

Are we able to send this article to him? [censored] I hate the Crows!

https://westlakesjournal.com/2018/04/03/report-jake-lever-trade-looking-pretty-damn-good-right-now/

 

Jake Lever trade looking pretty damn good right now

 

Last years blockbuster trade that saw Jake Lever traded to Melbourne for two first round picks is looking like a bloody masterstroke, a new report has revealed. 

While Lever has struggled having to play on a direct opponent, his red hot replacement Tom Doedee has thrived, earning a NAB Rising Star Nomination in just his second game.

Speaking exclusively to the Journal, Doedee appeared comfortable with the growing hype around his performances. “It’s been really good to come in to the team and play my role. I’ve had to wait for a little while to get a spot but it’s made me hungry to succeed. Turns out playing as the third defender is pretty easy when you’ve got Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan and Jake Kelly there crash packs and a future Brownlow medallist in Rory Laird at your feet.”

“What were Melbourne thinking paying $850,000?”

Meanwhile, rumours are circulating that the reason for Lever’s stunning drop in form is due to Melbourne coach and former Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin having little to no time for traitors.

Long time Melbourne fan Oliver Gilbert vented his frustrations.

“Goodwin is a Crows plant. I knew it all along. He has been put in that job by the Crows old boy network, and now Ricciuto is pulling the strings.” “This trade is worse than the one where we sent them Scott Thompson for a packet of chips.”

The name Tilbrook is resonating!

You don't get to play the patience card when you sign a contract for flobitygillion dollars.

If you get paid the big bucks, you gotta play the big games.