Melbourne defender Jake Lever will miss up to a month of football as he is set for knee surgery, while also being placed in the AFL's concussion protocols after Sunday's loss to West Coast.
Lever was sent for scans on a nagging knee injury earlier this year but escaped any major structural damage and continued playing.
However, following his concussion due to an errant knee from Eagle forward Jack Darling and subsequent absence for at least the next 12 days, the Demons thought it'd be best to make the call on the premiership defender, and right the injured knee, according toย Channel 7's Mitch Cleary.
Melbourne is preparing to be without star defender Jake Lever for the next month. Chief Football Reporter @cleary_mitch has the exclusive details. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/R8MioKOdAE
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 20, 2024
Lever will miss crucial games against St Kilda this week and isn't likely to return before the club's Round 14 bye, meaning Tom McDonald and Steven May will have to shoulder the load against Fremantle and Collingwood.
Utility and depth defender Adam Tomlinson is the likely replacement for the former Crow while Harrison Petty has played in the backline in seasons gone past.
The club has yet to release a statement on Lever's injury.
Melbourne's injury list will be released on Tuesday evening.
