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2020 Player Reviews: #8 Jake Lever

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2020 Player Reviews: #8 Jake Lever

One of the team leaders and performed the rebound defender’s role in a back line that is developing into a strong division.

Date of Birth: 5 March, 1996

Height: 195cm

Weight: 91kg

Games MFC 2020: 17

Career Total: 92

Goals MFC 2020: 0

Career Total: 3

Votes 2020 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy: 165

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    Certainly not worth two first rounders and probably not worth the money he's paid.

    To me his most disappointing aspect is that we don't seem to get much quick rebound out of his play. His kicking style appears to be more of the up and under rather than the bullet like pass to release a player.

    A decent contributor in 2020 but definitely not the wunderkind many thought we were buying.

     

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    Jake showed glimpses of his Crows form during 2020 and I expect that we will see the best of Jake Lever in the period 2021 - 2025. Come on Jake lets get a few more kilo's on that frame of yours and show us what you can really do..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    A finish outside the top 10 is disappointing for a high priced acquisition such as Lever.

    Had good moments within games rather than overall great games.

    One of his excellent attributes are his reading of the play and he took some crucial intercept marks in the dying minutes of our close wins such as Carlton and Essendon. I'm not sure if you can teach that or if it's a natural ability but it's great attribute to have and one that will ensure Lever will be solid member of our best 22 next year.

     

     

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    I think the Dees overspent in terms of two First Round picks and contract $$$$ to get Jake. Probably needed to serve up the big contract to win his signature.  Not sure but probably on a 5yr-$2.5M total deal. Not sure we can substantiate that $$$ for a back pocket player who other clubs look to make accountable which robs him of the interceptor role. Lever is a good player. He had a good 2020. He is a very handy defender for our group. I think we need to reward with a premiership tilt in the next 2 years. 
     

    Jake probably cannot hold out for more big $$$ at end of 2022. 

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    Baby sized steps forward in 2020 from a very low base for a player who is massively overrated and massively overpaid.

    We're in real trouble if May misses games in 2021 and Lever is forced to be accountable against bigger and stronger players.

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    3 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    Jake probably cannot hold out for more big $$$ at end of 2022. 

    why not.

    If he has a good 2021/2022 he'll only be 26 and at his prime value.

    He owes us nothing.

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    I’d be not keen on paying upwards of $600k a year for a “good back pocket”.  He’s good but he’s not a match winner or star of the team. 

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    Unless we figure out a way to free him up to play the intercept role and play to his strengths then we'll continue to get a poor return on our investment. 

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    2 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

    Unless we figure out a way to free him up to play the intercept role and play to his strengths then we'll continue to get a poor return on our investment. 

    Hypothetically if we can get TMac into being a solid 2nd tall to May being our number 1 tall defender we could play Lever is a true interception CHB position.

    He's getting there but definitely not reaching his dizzying Adelaide heights, no doubt the knee injury has put his development behind. Fingers crossed it can all come good next year.

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    Looking forward to Petty in combination with Lever and May. 

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    Another Josh mahoney special. Ridiculous gifting 2 first rounders for a backman who struggles to play man on man defense

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    Jake Lever is a quality interceptor and not a true key position backman.  He needs to be reading the play up field  so as to get into a position to cut of the oppositions play. That is when he's in his element.  He is turning into a valuable team player. 

    Jake can take his game to another level with the inclusion of a Key backman.  

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    17 hours ago, nosoupforme said:

    Jake Lever is a quality interceptor and not a true key position backman.  He needs to be reading the play up field  so as to get into a position to cut of the oppositions play. That is when he's in his element.  He is turning into a valuable team player. 

    Jake can take his game to another level with the inclusion of a Key backman.  

    TMac? Petty? Or is Tomlinson the man for the moment....?

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    I think Jake has had an easy ride to AFL level. At 195cm and not being required to play man on man is a gift. Easiest position on the ground to play. Forget concentating solely on intercept marking, get him stronger and give him challenges of beating the best forwards.

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    1 hour ago, Grr-owl said:

    TMac? Petty? Or is Tomlinson the man for the moment....?

    To be honest l like to think that Petty is the man for a key position at CHB he did show promise however he was no slouch when playing forward with a 3 goal game  probably against the Bulldogs .Had minimal time there. 

    Forward lines are stacked and Petty is the future for a position down back.   Will hone his craft with Lever and May working together down back.  Came as a defender.

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    14 hours ago, nosoupforme said:

    To be honest l like to think that Petty is the man for a key position at CHB he did show promise however he was no slouch when playing forward with a 3 goal game  probably against the Bulldogs .Had minimal time there. 

    Forward lines are stacked and Petty is the future for a position down back.   Will hone his craft with Lever and May working together down back.  Came as a defender.

    Seriously we need to back off on Harrison Petty, he’s played 11 games since being drafted in 2017 & just missed the 2020 season with injury 

    Hope you’re right but he’s coming from a long way back 

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    44 minutes ago, Billy said:

    Seriously we need to back off on Harrison Petty, he’s played 11 games since being drafted in 2017 & just missed the 2020 season with injury 

    Hope you’re right but he’s coming from a long way back 

    I see your point Billy i cannot predict the future however he has a solid base and was drafted as a key back. Had groin problems and l believe he is over that now. When training starts we will know where his at.

    In 2019 played 10 games and from rounds 14 to 21 played 8 straight that year before he got injured. I believe the club has high hopes. 

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