Melbourne's defensive stocks have been a hot topic of late, particularly following the side's loss to North Melbourne a fortnight ago.
Kangaroos key forward Ben Brown booted five goals as the Roos downed the Dees by 14 points in a fierce contest.
He was just the latest in a string of key forwards to get the better of the Demons this season, resulting in calls for the club to seek a key defender this trade period to help the McDonald brothers.
Nick Riewoldt, Tom Hawkins, Jack Riewoldt, Jarryd Roughead and Ben Brown have all booted four goals or more against the Dees this season.
Melbourne is fully aware it needs another key back, with reports the club is set to make a big play for Adelaide young gun, Jake Lever.
Fairfaxย reports the Dees are extremely keen on luring the 21-year-old, 195cm tall, back home to Victoria.
Lever confirmed last month he had put contract negotiations with the Crows on hold until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the AFL Playersโ Association and the AFL had been finalised.
Regardless of his reasons publicly for putting talks on hold, it is never a good sign.
The Dees have also been linked with a possible play for Gold Coast co-captain, Steven May, who interestingly, is represented by the same management group as Lever.
Lever, who was recruited with pick No. 14 from Calder Cannons in the 2014 National Draft, has played 43 games for Adelaide, including seven this season.
The highly rated backman has averaged 16.6 disposals, 6.4 marks and 3.1 rebound 50s so far this season.
