2022 Player Reviews: #8 Jake Lever

[Demonland 73,216]

He was down on his stellar 2021 form but he remained part of a formidable defensive unit, particularly when all parts were in place on the field together. His intercept marking remains a feature of his game.

"The intercept marking king didn’t match the form he showed in Melbourne’s premiership year. Fifth in last year’s best-and-fairest, Lever didn’t feature inside the top 10 this year. He signed a three-year contract extension early last year to tie him to the club until the end of 2024." - Herald Sun

Date of Birth: 5 March 1996
Height: 195cm
Weight: 92kg

Games MFC 2022: 19
Career Total: 136

Goals MFC 2022: 1
Career Total: 4

Brownlow Medal: 1 vote

[DeeZone 10,160]

Poor Jake severely challenged by injury throughout 2022, his stats were way down on his usual form but still managed to play a role in defence. He looked so sore at the end of games. One tough cookie is our “Rick”, looking forward to seeing him fit, healthy and back to his deadly best in 2023.!!!

[Guest]

What a moment this was…

❤️💙😊❤️💙

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,981]

58 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Poor Jake severely challenged by injury throughout 2022, his stats were way down on his usual form but still managed to play a role in defence. He looked so sore at the end of games. One tough cookie is our “Rick”, looking forward to seeing him fit, healthy and back to his deadly best in 2023.!!!

100% agree that injury really took it's toll on Lever. How many games did he go off injured only to hobble out the remainder of the game?

Tearing his plantar fascia on the eve of the season didn't exactly set him up for success either.

A key barometer to our defence. I can't recall too many good wins when he's had a poor game, and vice versa - rare that he's had a terrific game in a loss compared to say a May who has played really well in losses (Sydney final on Buddy)

The highlight of his season was that central kick against Carlton with 30 seconds left which was too hot for Motlop to handle and then led to the Kozzie winning goal. Showed genuine football smarts in a severely pressurised situation.

[layzie 34,040]

There was likely not one week during this season when Jake was not in some kind of pain. Would have been really behind the eight ball with that foot issue pre Rd 1. Hopefully this pre season works out a lot better for him. 

True leader and highliy respected by his teammates.