Looks more than ready. Hopefully that giant [censored] Tex is back as well.

Coming into some good form just in time too. He hasn't played well in our close games so far, so it will be interesting to see how he goes when our backline is under more pressure.

I think he has been building sing R3 into something really important.  He is taking great intercept marks, spoiling (except that one today) and brilliant vision and delivery.  Very pleased we landed him, and he is worth the money.  Bring on Adelaide, so he can tick off the first meeting with the old club thing.

He's started to gel with our back line, getting confidence and taking the game on.

Looks great!

Keeping my bookmark of some peoples quotes for how awful he is and the MFC for picking him up for future use, not sure it's going to be next week.

But some time in the future... 

It took him 3 weeks or so to find form and gel with our backline, but he's been great the past few matches. I actually think that it was both Hibberd and Lever that weren't gelling early on, but since they've started learn each others game they've both rocketed into form. Apart from the odd missed spoil, Lever's just so good in the air and offers good leadership and drive down there. Alongside Lewis at times, he's clearly the general of the backline and likely will be for the next 10 years. We paid a high price for him, but he'll prove to be worth it. Gun.

Jake Lever has turned it around in the last 3 weeks and l have seen the difference  with more determination and oomph in his step and his controlled marking. Today he put in his best game  collecting 19 ki 8 hb  8 mks. A pleasure to watch and confidence building.

However you can only play against what is in front of you so bring on the Crows and make it 5 in a row. 

PS, sorry you wont be playing Tex.

The return of T Mac has been huge in his return to his form of last year????

Am I the only one who thought he had a few too many shaky moments today in the first half against pretty much no opposition? Cripps out marked him at one stage!

Starting to hold some marks and certainly getting his hands on a lot more, smart ball user when afforded some time and space as well. I was hoping a lot of his problems were new team mates and a bit of an MCG hangover which should pass with time.

Anyway, he's turned the corner and the good news is even if his form goes up and down it probably won't reach the stage where the criticism is scathing - except the media will be watching this week. A big game against the Crows will go a long way to restoring his reputation.

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Am I the only one who thought he had a few too many shaky moments today in the first half against pretty much no opposition? Cripps out marked him at one stage!

Cripps is no mug in the air. And they’re the same height (195cm).

But, yes, next Sunday we’ll know a bit more about him and the team. Looking forward to it!

Hes playing as the 2nd KPD, which is a very pleasant surprise. He started shaky in that role but he looks about ready to dominate. 

Playing as a KPD is what will elevate him from being the best 3rd man up/intercept defender in the comp to a certified superstar.

8 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Cripps out marked him at one stage!

As another poster mentioned Cripps is very good overhead. Having said that, in that instance Lever should have punched. Other than that he had a stellar game and this is a reminder of why we chased him hard and just a glimpse of the player he will be for us. 

Bring on the Crows. 

8 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Am I the only one who thought he had a few too many shaky moments today in the first half against pretty much no opposition?

 

Yes. He was one of our best early in the game.

8 hours ago, Win4theAges said:

The return of T Mac has been huge in his return to his form of last year????

And this is why recruiting Lever was a great move. 

We didn't just gain a defender we gained an outstanding forward.

8 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Am I the only one who thought he had a few too many shaky moments today in the first half against pretty much no opposition? 

Lever was one of the best on field IMO. The amount of times he cut out a Carlton attack was amazing. You can always highlight the quality of an opposition, but i'd give the boy the benfit of the doubt considering he really turned it on post Hawthorn.

23 minutes ago, MurDoc516 said:

Lever was one of the best on field IMO. The amount of times he cut out a Carlton attack was amazing. You can always highlight the quality of an opposition, but i'd give the boy the benfit of the doubt considering he really turned it on post Hawthorn.

He only just turrned 22 also.. people speak like hes a 200+ game 30 year old veteran sometimes.  Kids still learning, and hes already bloody good.

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

He only just turrned 22 also.. people speak like hes a 200+ game 30 year old veteran sometimes.  Kids still learning, and hes already bloody good.

Possibly among most astute observations. 

Im still not sure if we've the ideal makeup down back. Thats not to bemoan anyone as such. Oscar continues to impress...and tbh that's surprised me ( gladly ). Hibberd is a gem...Lewis ...a capable General... Nifty ...the quiet assassin.

All in all very good components....and yet im not quite convinced/ comfortable that it's quite clicked properly.

Lever is growing into a role. Has talent to burn. He'll adjust his decisions. He did yesterday.

Against better teams he's crucial.

 

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-21/dees-will-back-up-lever-if-reunion-gets-nasty

Looking forward to seeing Oscar get in there to defend Jake if the Crows are being mean.

 

They never say "I'm really scared to play my old team because they were my friends and now they hate me because I left for money". 

22 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Am I the only one who thought he had a few too many shaky moments today in the first half against pretty much no opposition? Cripps out marked him at one stage!

Yes. 

He made one mistake, where he clearly thought he had a better reach at the ball than he did. Big deal. Did you see the next couple of times it came near him? He put them both about 15 rows back - it was clear that he learnt a quick lesson and adapted.

He's going to be a dead set superstar for us.

And he goes to my local coffee shop - been trying not to fanboy him but not sure how long I can resist.

Lever makes very good decisions with the ball, and like all good players seems to have all the time in the World to make them, his composure is remarkable  

Yeah he got out marked by Cripps, big deal, very few players win every contest they enter but we seem to think they should.

I hadn’t seen much of him before he came to Melbourne, now I have, I can see why we went after him, he’s a 10 year player and will get better as he goes along. 

Yeah, Id love to see the Crows try and rough up Jake.

It will only fire us up more.

This games narrative is all about 3rd v 4th. I'm glad Lever v the crows is getting some airtime but the real story is us needing to beat the crows so we can be taken seriously.

Hope Lever has a blinder.

Our defensive synergies are starting to click which puts Jake in a role that works for him and us. 

Noticed on the weekend Jetta vs Cripps in an open forward line, with the Blues on the attack. Ball was kicked long to the contest, Jets kept Cripps on the ground enabling Jake to come across and mark/punch with ease... 

 

Edited May 21, 20187 yr by PaulRB