Melbourne blow as veteran pulled from Round 3 clash with Gold Coast

“We’ve taken a cautious approach by ruling him out of the game.”

WRITER | March 28, 2025 - 3:39pm

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Melbourne's defence will once again not be at full strength as Jake Lever has been pulled from the Round 3 clash with Gold Coast due to injury.

Lever injured his ankle last week in the loss to North Melbourne and was given a week to overcome the issue.

However, the Demons have opted to give the 29-year-old the week off, bringing in youngster Blake Howes as his replacement.

GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said the club was confident Lever will only miss the one match, but weren't prepared to risk him against the Suns.

"Jake had been progressing really well this week, getting on top of the swelling in that ankle," Richardson said.

"He, unfortunately, pulled up sore from our main session on Thursday, so we've taken a cautious approach by ruling him out of the game.

"We're confident the extra time will allow Jake's ankle to fully settle, in preparation for our Round 4 game."

Ollie Sestan has been added to the club's emergency list.

Lever isn't the only change to Melbourne's Saturday lineup, with Matthew Jefferson, Charlie Spargo, Taj Woewodin, and Daniel Turner to miss the clash.

Premiership defender Steven May will play his first game of 2025, as will Jake Melksham who is coming back from a hamstring injury.

Aidan Johnson returns from suspension, while Jack Billings and youngster Harvey Langford take their place in the senior side.

The Suns also made some significant changes, as key defender Charlie Ballard has been ruled out of the rest of the year with an ACL tear.

Ben Ainsworth and Alex Sexton will be absent from Damien Hardwick's side while Mac Andrew, Jed Walter and Sam Flanders replace them.