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Lever....... The culture shifter

pineapple dee
in Melbourne Demons

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Posted

I think the turning point for the fortunes of the football team was the recruitment of Jake Lever. I believe Lever has not only brought fantastic defensive talents to the team but I reckon he has been one of the catalysts for the type of culture change we've been crying out for for years. 

We have developed a range of leaders across the team, Max being the most obvious one. You've also got May, Jones, Oliver, Petracca,Viney. 

The difference with Lever is that he communicates an incredibly strong desire to excel and he leads by example. He is the consummate thinking player and he demands the highest standards of his team mates whilst delivering the goods himself.

There are a lot of factors in play this year, but getting this player has changed the attitude and actions of this team in a similar sort of way to Joel Selwood at the cats.

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    You might be on to something..

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    Selwood came into a team that had Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Scarlett, Chapman and others who had had years to develop and mature. He added the cherry on top but did not change the team.

    Lever came into a team that was underperforming (or perhaps performing as well as it could) and changed the style to improve the game plan. Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Viney were still developing themselves and so Lever changed the game plan on his own (of course with the coaches' help). Great pick up and even greater player.

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    I remember going to Docklands earlier in Levers first season, the day he did his knee. What interested me was watching Lever organising the troops on the ground before the game. I remember thinking two things. First, it was a thoroughly professional warm-up such that I had not seen before with the team. Second, that this guy Lever was either a cocky prat that may get up the nose of others or that he was simply a complete pro who had the self confidence to take over this (for him) new team. . Basically, it was impressive stuff  and also noticeable how the other guys were happy to comply with Levers instructions. 

    Above all it communicated professionalism and leadership. 

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    I remember the vision of him doing his knee rehab in the States, pulling a tyre through the snow. I thought then that this was one tough individual

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    It's funny you know the tough comment (also in the context of certain people shirtfronting him) - I believe he was an Australian representative boxer I believe?

    That means definitely no stranger to gut busting training - with a definite hard edge and ability to "play through pain"

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    How about Steven May in his first season when he was giving Frosty a big mouthful one game? At that point is was a question of: is the new boy overdoing it and upsetting team cohesion, or has Frosty buggered up and the new boy is setting standards?

    I think we know now!

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    • Like 9
    1 hour ago, pineapple dee said:

    I think the turning point for the fortunes of the football team was the recruitment of Jake Lever. I believe Lever has not only brought fantastic defensive talents to the team but I reckon he has been one of the catalysts for the type of culture change we've been crying out for for years. 

    We have developed a range of leaders across the team, Max being the most obvious one. You've also got May, Jones, Oliver, Petracca,Viney. 

    The difference with Lever is that he communicates an incredibly strong desire to excel and he leads by example. He is the consummate thinking player and he demands the highest standards of his team mates whilst delivering the goods himself.

    There are a lot of factors in play this year, but getting this player has changed the attitude and actions of this team in a similar sort of way to Joel Selwood at the cats.

    Will be next captain, unless Max plays for the next decade.

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    3 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

    How about Steven May in his first season when he was giving Frosty a big mouthful one game? At that point is was a question of: is the new boy overdoing it and upsetting team cohesion, or has Frosty buggered up and the new boy is setting standards?

    I think we know now!

    Love that about May he is passionate and a real leader.

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    I can lip read (a very handy skill) & noticed Lever say to a few boys after our round 23 & finals win "jobs not done".  This man is worth every penny we pay him.......

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    1 hour ago, Altona-demon said:

    It's funny you know the tough comment (also in the context of certain people shirtfronting him) - I believe he was an Australian representative boxer I believe?

    That means definitely no stranger to gut busting training - with a definite hard edge and ability to "play through pain"

    Not sure if he was an Australian representative but he's definitely handy with the gloves.
    As is Melksham.
    Melksham reckons both Jetta and Viney are scary too.

     

    Edited by Fork 'em

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    5 hours ago, Deebymistake said:

    I can lip read (a very handy skill) & noticed Lever say to a few boys after our round 23 & finals win "jobs not done".  This man is worth every penny we pay him.......

    Heard that out of a few mouths actually 

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    7 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

    How about Steven May in his first season when he was giving Frosty a big mouthful one game? At that point is was a question of: is the new boy overdoing it and upsetting team cohesion, or has Frosty buggered up and the new boy is setting standards?

    I think we know now!

    For all he's done since, Steven May also turned up in terrible nick and spent most of his first season injured with us. Lever's knee injury was an accident in his first season. May, however, was, by all reports, out of shape.

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    15 hours ago, Jontee said:

    JL - got the initials right - Jordan Lewis

    He was an important part of the mix.

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    19 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

    I think the turning point for the fortunes of the football team was the recruitment of Jake Lever. I believe Lever has not only brought fantastic defensive talents to the team but I reckon he has been one of the catalysts for the type of culture change we've been crying out for for years. 

    We have developed a range of leaders across the team, Max being the most obvious one. You've also got May, Jones, Oliver, Petracca,Viney. 

    The difference with Lever is that he communicates an incredibly strong desire to excel and he leads by example. He is the consummate thinking player and he demands the highest standards of his team mates whilst delivering the goods himself.

    There are a lot of factors in play this year, but getting this player has changed the attitude and actions of this team in a similar sort of way to Joel Selwood at the cats.

    Agree with your point about Lever, but I'm not convinced Jones, Oliver, Petracca or Viney are leadership material. That's not intended to be disrespectful, but while each shows high qualities on the football field, I don't get the sense that any of them have the necessary tools to be leaders. And that's OK. Not everyone is born to lead.

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    Lever and May have brought tremendous value both on and off the field.  I thought we might have paid overs for Lever in the trade but he is repaying us big time this year and hopefully beyond as well. 

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