Adelaide are set to play hardball with young gun Jake Lever after he nominated Melbourne as his preferred AFL trade destination.
The 21-year-old has declared he wants to play for the Demons, who have reportedly offered him a five-year, multi-million dollar deal.
“I’ll be going back to Melbourne to be with my family and friends,” Lever told the Seven Network on Tuesday.
The key defender had been widely-expected to seek a return to Victoria after putting off contract talks earlier this year.
But his decision to nominate Melbourne has angered the Crows, who bluntly described his preference as “irrelevant” and would not rule out forcing him to take his chances in the pre-season draft.
“There’s 10 clubs in Victoria, so we’ll just negotiate with whoever’s going to give us the best value,” Adelaide football boss Brett Burton told reporters.
“As a footy club, we’re in a good position at the moment … we’ll take whatever measures are deemed necessary to do what’s best for the club.”
Burton said the Crows became aware Lever intended to leave in the weeks leading up to their shattering grand-final loss to Richmond.
He claimed Lever and his partner were happy with life in Adelaide and said the decision to reject a lucrative offer that would have placed him among the Crows’ top-earners was clearly “financially motivated”.
“We don’t think it’s fair on the rest of the playing group that we make him our highest-paid player,” Burton said.
“Right now, we’ve got a list that is evolving and we need to make decisions that are fair to the rest of the playing group so we can continue to improve.”
The Crows were expected to demand two first-round draft picks for Lever, who led the AFL for intercepts per game in 2017.
Such a trade would leave Adelaide in a strong position to make a fresh play for Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs.
Melbourne have pick No.10 at their disposal in this year’s draft but could be forced to also offer up a future first-round selection.
Burton confirmed that Collingwood had also spoken to Adelaide’s list management team about a potential deal for Lever.
Lever could nominate for the pre-season draft in the absence of a trade to Melbourne but would risk being snapped up by a team with a higher pick.
David C
Guest
Pretty sure PSD picks can't be traded. I remember the question being asked on a trade blog last year.
sammy
Guest
a wise policy re the vic metro players and the way the Brisbane list is building, they will be looking alright in the next few seasons
Cat
Roar Guru
That's my understanding too, surely we'd have seen it done by now if it were possible.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
I don't believe so - only picks in the National Draft can be traded is my understanding (not PSD or Rookie)
Cat
Roar Guru
Is trading of PSD picks even possible? Never heard of it being done.
Bearfly
Roar Rookie
Not necessarily, if an amicable trade can't be brokered with Adelaide over the next 2 weeks then the Dees could easily swing a trade of picks with Brisbane that can include the Lions #1 PSD pick, which doesn't hold anywhere near the value of #1 pick in the National Draft.
Johnno
Guest
It is interesting the reaction he got when he phoned the players to tell them of his decision to go to Melbourne. Apparently Walker blasted him....some players didn't want him in the GF team. Danger was never treated that way by his team mates.
steve
Guest
If he goes to the PSD he will end up at the Kanga's, they have stacks of cash and they are looking a bringing in any good young talent. Think on that one Jakey boy. You'll end up playing bottom 8 for the next 7-8 years before you even get a look into finals.
fairsuckofthesav
Guest
Classy response hope it rubs off on the previous poster.
Jolza
Guest
Third year player makes a deal with Channel 7 to 'announce' where he is going to play next year three days after the club he plays for lost a grand final, saying it is for family reasons but choosing just one club in Victoria and threatening to walk to the PSD if his current club don't bend over backwards and do everything for him. The club will act in good faith and help you out when you have clearly acted in the club's best interest for a period of time, ala Dangerfield. But no club should be dictated to by a third year player who has done nothing to earn that level of power. Congrats on Saturday though mate. Sad we didn't win but happy for the Tigers to finally get one if wasn't going to be us.
David C
Guest
Yep, I'm from QLD and saw it all unfold with the go home 5 a few years back. I don't know how they fix it though. Brisbane only drafts regional talent now and steers clear of Melbourne Metro players.
truetigerfan
Guest
A 'required player' becomes a player whose preferences are 'irrelevant'. 'Lever and his partner were happy with life in Adelaide'! So you speak on his behalf as well? Disgusting attitude, Crows. Sure, get what you can but do it with grace and maybe even a little good will. To claim that you know his desire is clearly financially motivated is spurious at best, nasty at least. More power to you, Jake! Carna Tigers!
Mattyb
Guest
Your right,they can't force him. We did see a slight shift last season when Deludio didn't get to his nominated side and GWS were able to satisfy al parties. I don't think saying it doesn't matter is correct,that's being to black and white,the challenge will be for a club to satisfy all parties. If a reasonable offer is put forward,the player will need to decide whether to accept that or go into a drawn out,ugly process. Going to the draft isn't a good idea as an interstate side below Melbourne might match the contract and draft him. I doubt Adelaide will want to go down that path either though,but the threat is there.
Jolza
Guest
So a third year player has as much power as a free agent? Clearly something wrong with the system then isn't there?
David C
Guest
All talk Adelaide. He has all the cards as he is out of contract and you'd be stupid to send him to the draft and get nothing. He has leverage. See what I did there.
Cat
Roar Guru
Won't matter what anyone offers Adelaide, they can't force Lever to go anywhere he doesn't want to go. If it is all about the money, as the Crows claim (and there is nothing wrong with that), then he'll go into the draft and be able to nominate the exact same salary the Demons are offering him. He'll get paid either way.
Mattyb
Guest
Lever would be a good pick up for a few sides but I can't see him valued at two first round picks,I guess demand will set his eventual price. Good move by Adelaide if they do try and deal with someone other than the Demons if they can get a better deal.