Latest news with #JakeLever
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has turned to a rejuvenated Jake Lever for Adelaide this Sunday
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he sees 'a real energy' about returning defender Jake Lever after boldly dropping the All Australian last week. The Demons, who were defeated by Gold Coast last weekend, take on the improved Adelaide on the road on Sunday. Crows Riley Thilthorpe (33 goals), Darcy Fogarty (29), Ben Keays (25), Josh Rachele (25) and Taylor Walker (22) have caused headaches for opposition coaches this year. Goodwin says dropping Lever has allowed the defender to regain confidence and form ahead of an important test this week. 'It's a challenge for any senior player when you're not playing the form you want to be in,' he said. 'To go back and perform really strongly, you can just see him around the club this week, there's a real energy about him, you can see him confident about his footy. 'We're looking for him to bring it out this weekend, he's someone we value highly and we need him playing his best footy. 'It's the chance to get him back into the team, he's a leader and someone we're going to need a big game from this weekend.' Goodwin has bolstered his back six but wants to see the Demons midfielders have first say in stopping Adelaide's fierce forward line. 'There's no doubt the midfield is going to play a big part, how we limit supply is going to be really important,' he said. 'Obviously they're very potent ahead of the ball they've got a lot of talent, we feel our backs are something we've been working on as to how we defend the ground that little bit better. 'It's something that's been inconsistent in our game of recent times in terms of our team defence, we want to defend to a higher level to restrict the supply but also have a greater impact when the ball goes in our D50. 'Those things we've been working on clearly it's going to be a challenge this week against a high quality forward line.' Melbourne's chances at finals football look all but lost with eight rounds left in the season. But Goodwin says every act is working towards the Demons' next premiership push and wants to see his players grit their teeth on the run home. 'Teams are built on a lot of grit and resilience, there will be times in games, seasons when you're challenged and right now in terms of results we're getting challenged,' he said. 'We need to show that resilient, grit, spirit and fight for our footy team and that's what we're about this week.'
Perth Now
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Demons axe flag hero and young guns as season slips
Melbourne premiership defender Jake Lever and two young guns have been axed in a bold selection call from coach Simon Goodwin. With the Demons' season all but shot - in 15th spot with just five wins - Goodwin dumped Lever, Jacob van Rooyen and Caleb Windsor for their away game against Gold Coast. Goodwin summoned a trio of emerging talent in Matthew Jefferson, Koltyn Tholstrup and Harry Sharp for Saturday afternoon's fixture. The ninth-placed Suns, seeking a win to return to the top eight, replaced Nick Holman with Alex Sexton. Sydney summoned battle-hardened duo Jake Lloyd and Ollie Florent for their season-shaping clash against the Western Bulldogs. Lloyd and Florent return as the Swans press to make further inroads - they're 11th, two wins shy of the eighth-placed Bulldogs. Sydney lost forward Joel Amartey to an undisclosed injury, a week after the wayward forward booted 0.6 in a 19-point win over Port Adelaide. Swans coach Dean Cox also dropped Riley Bice for the Friday night SCG encounter against the Dogs, who made two changes to the team that thumped Richmond by 79 points last Sunday. Midfielder Adam Treloar will miss at least six weeks because of another calf tear and rookie Josh Dolan has been dropped, replaced by stalwart Jason Johannisen and Ryley Sanders. Ladder leaders Collingwood named 19-year-old key forward Charlie West for his AFL debut against lowly West Coast on Saturday night. South Australian West, pick 50 at last year's national draft, joins Charlie Dean in the Magpies side, replacing injured duo Billy Frampton and Beau McCreery. Hawthorn dropped Henry Huswaite for their danger game against North Melbourne, with Cameron Mackenzie returning for Saturday afternoon's encounter in Launceston. The Kangaroos, fresh from a plucky 11-point win over Carlton, called on Will Dawson to replace Charlie Comben.
The Advertiser
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Demons axe flag hero and young guns as season slips
Melbourne premiership defender Jake Lever and two young guns have been axed in a bold selection call from coach Simon Goodwin. With the Demons' season all but shot - in 15th spot with just five wins - Goodwin dumped Lever, Jacob van Rooyen and Caleb Windsor for their away game against Gold Coast. Goodwin summoned a trio of emerging talent in Matthew Jefferson, Koltyn Tholstrup and Harry Sharp for Saturday afternoon's fixture. The ninth-placed Suns, seeking a win to return to the top eight, replaced Nick Holman with Alex Sexton. Sydney summoned battle-hardened duo Jake Lloyd and Ollie Florent for their season-shaping clash against the Western Bulldogs. Lloyd and Florent return as the Swans press to make further inroads - they're 11th, two wins shy of the eighth-placed Bulldogs. Sydney lost forward Joel Amartey to an undisclosed injury, a week after the wayward forward booted 0.6 in a 19-point win over Port Adelaide. Swans coach Dean Cox also dropped Riley Bice for the Friday night SCG encounter against the Dogs, who made two changes to the team that thumped Richmond by 79 points last Sunday. Midfielder Adam Treloar will miss at least six weeks because of another calf tear and rookie Josh Dolan has been dropped, replaced by stalwart Jason Johannisen and Ryley Sanders. Ladder leaders Collingwood named 19-year-old key forward Charlie West for his AFL debut against lowly West Coast on Saturday night. South Australian West, pick 50 at last year's national draft, joins Charlie Dean in the Magpies side, replacing injured duo Billy Frampton and Beau McCreery. Hawthorn dropped Henry Huswaite for their danger game against North Melbourne, with Cameron Mackenzie returning for Saturday afternoon's encounter in Launceston. The Kangaroos, fresh from a plucky 11-point win over Carlton, called on Will Dawson to replace Charlie Comben. Melbourne premiership defender Jake Lever and two young guns have been axed in a bold selection call from coach Simon Goodwin. With the Demons' season all but shot - in 15th spot with just five wins - Goodwin dumped Lever, Jacob van Rooyen and Caleb Windsor for their away game against Gold Coast. Goodwin summoned a trio of emerging talent in Matthew Jefferson, Koltyn Tholstrup and Harry Sharp for Saturday afternoon's fixture. The ninth-placed Suns, seeking a win to return to the top eight, replaced Nick Holman with Alex Sexton. Sydney summoned battle-hardened duo Jake Lloyd and Ollie Florent for their season-shaping clash against the Western Bulldogs. Lloyd and Florent return as the Swans press to make further inroads - they're 11th, two wins shy of the eighth-placed Bulldogs. Sydney lost forward Joel Amartey to an undisclosed injury, a week after the wayward forward booted 0.6 in a 19-point win over Port Adelaide. Swans coach Dean Cox also dropped Riley Bice for the Friday night SCG encounter against the Dogs, who made two changes to the team that thumped Richmond by 79 points last Sunday. Midfielder Adam Treloar will miss at least six weeks because of another calf tear and rookie Josh Dolan has been dropped, replaced by stalwart Jason Johannisen and Ryley Sanders. Ladder leaders Collingwood named 19-year-old key forward Charlie West for his AFL debut against lowly West Coast on Saturday night. South Australian West, pick 50 at last year's national draft, joins Charlie Dean in the Magpies side, replacing injured duo Billy Frampton and Beau McCreery. Hawthorn dropped Henry Huswaite for their danger game against North Melbourne, with Cameron Mackenzie returning for Saturday afternoon's encounter in Launceston. The Kangaroos, fresh from a plucky 11-point win over Carlton, called on Will Dawson to replace Charlie Comben. Melbourne premiership defender Jake Lever and two young guns have been axed in a bold selection call from coach Simon Goodwin. With the Demons' season all but shot - in 15th spot with just five wins - Goodwin dumped Lever, Jacob van Rooyen and Caleb Windsor for their away game against Gold Coast. Goodwin summoned a trio of emerging talent in Matthew Jefferson, Koltyn Tholstrup and Harry Sharp for Saturday afternoon's fixture. The ninth-placed Suns, seeking a win to return to the top eight, replaced Nick Holman with Alex Sexton. Sydney summoned battle-hardened duo Jake Lloyd and Ollie Florent for their season-shaping clash against the Western Bulldogs. Lloyd and Florent return as the Swans press to make further inroads - they're 11th, two wins shy of the eighth-placed Bulldogs. Sydney lost forward Joel Amartey to an undisclosed injury, a week after the wayward forward booted 0.6 in a 19-point win over Port Adelaide. Swans coach Dean Cox also dropped Riley Bice for the Friday night SCG encounter against the Dogs, who made two changes to the team that thumped Richmond by 79 points last Sunday. Midfielder Adam Treloar will miss at least six weeks because of another calf tear and rookie Josh Dolan has been dropped, replaced by stalwart Jason Johannisen and Ryley Sanders. Ladder leaders Collingwood named 19-year-old key forward Charlie West for his AFL debut against lowly West Coast on Saturday night. South Australian West, pick 50 at last year's national draft, joins Charlie Dean in the Magpies side, replacing injured duo Billy Frampton and Beau McCreery. Hawthorn dropped Henry Huswaite for their danger game against North Melbourne, with Cameron Mackenzie returning for Saturday afternoon's encounter in Launceston. The Kangaroos, fresh from a plucky 11-point win over Carlton, called on Will Dawson to replace Charlie Comben.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Lever ready to return from ankle surgery
AFL: Melbourne Demons defender Jake Lever believes he's ready to return from ankle surgery after a successful comeback via the VFL.
