Jake Lever was left fuming after being unexpectedly dropped from Melbourne’s Round 16 side, with reports suggesting the star defender felt “blindsided” by the call.
The All-Australian missed the 19-point loss to Gold Coast, only to return the following week against his former club, Adelaide.
But according to Footy Classified panellist Tom Morris, the 29-year-old was taken aback by Simon Goodwin’s decision, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by other AFL clubs.
“He felt he was disrespected”
“What I can tell you about Jake Lever is that he was so angry when he got dropped,” Morris said on Channel 9. “He felt he was blindsided, as a result, he felt he was disrespected… For a senior player to feel this way, other clubs believe this is a watch now in this year’s trade period.”
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Lever’s axing raised eyebrows not just for its timing but also for the lack of warning, with Morris adding: “He had no idea that even being left out was an option.”
While he’s contracted until the end of 2028, interest is beginning to stir among rivals, especially with Lever’s form in the VFL against the Suns, where he registered 17 disposals and 13 marks. Morris reiterated on X: “It came out of nowhere and it angered him at the time… Rival clubs are aware of this.”
Despite the emotional sting, Lever returned to senior footy against the Crows with 10 marks and 14 disposals, a performance that teammate Jack Viney praised on SEN Breakfast.
“We love Jake, he’s so important to us,” Viney said. “Jake being the competitor he is, I’m sure he was frustrated, but it was what Goody and the coaches thought was best for his football.”