Four years after an acrimonious trade, Melbourne’s Jake Lever has another shot at the AFL’s biggest prize

Jake Lever’s off-season switch from Adelaide to Melbourne four years ago is considered one of the most acrimonious trades in recent AFL memory.

Only 21 years old at the time, Lever had just played in the Crows grand final loss to Richmond and was seen as one of the best young key defenders in the league.

His trade request followed months of speculation about a return to Victoria and raised the hackles of Crows fans, players and the club’s hierarchy.

But now, as he prepares to play in his second grand final, he maintains it was the right move for both football and family.

“I think that when I left I left, I was pretty content with my decision,” he said.

“The opportunity to go back home. I’ve got two kids and a wife now.

“I didn’t have that at the time. But I knew that that’s what I wanted, and to be able to have family support, there has been fantastic.”

Different game with a different build-up

Lever is the only member of the Demons squad to have played in a grand final.

He said he was approaching this game in a different manner to 2017, and the unusual circumstances caused by the pandemic had helped.

“I’ve really tried to stay in the moment this time,” he said.

“It’s obviously super hard to sort of stay focused, but this time, with the circumstances that we have right now, it’s been quite unique.

“It’s been pretty nice to be able to just relax and really stay focused.”

The 25-year-old also revealed he has had plenty of support from former Crows teammates ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs in Perth.

“I’ve still got very close friends at Adelaide. So it’s been great for them to reach out and say they’re wishing me the best,” he said.

No divided loyalties for Demon-turned-Dog

Well-wishes from ex-teammates have been few and far between for Bulldogs forward Mitch Hannan, as he also prepares to face his old team.

Hannan was traded to the Dogs from Melbourne last year, after four seasons with the Demons.

He said he never dreamed he would be facing his old side in the season decider, but there would be no friends come Saturday at Perth Stadium.

“It’s a surreal experience for me to be playing against them because obviously, I am still close mates with a lot of them,” he said.

“It’ll be all sort of dropped for that two hours on Saturday and I’ll be doing my best for the Bulldogs.

“At the end of the day, it’s a game of footy that I really want to win.”

Nerves shared by premiership cup presenters

For legends of the game Garry Lyon and Chris Grant, Saturday’s clash is likely to leave a bittersweet taste.

Pre-game, the duo will present the premiership cup to the Perth Stadium crowd.

And, depending on who wins, one of them will then present the cup to the winning coach and captain.