Jake Lever says he was excited, rather than nervous, leading into his first game of competitive football in almost 18 months.
The athletic defender was sidelined for all of 2014 after rupturing the ACL of his left knee in December, 2013.
Lever approached his rehabilitation with great maturity and was rewarded by Adelaide at last year’s National Draft, where the talented teen was selected with pick No.14 overall.
After 567 days since his last game with the Calder Cannons in the 2013 TAC Cup Preliminary Final, the former Vic Metro captain joined his new Crows teammates for Adelaide’s final SANFL trial against West Adelaide at Richmond Oval.
Lever said he had been longing for the day when he could finally make his return to the playing field.
“I was a bit nervous last night,” Lever told afc.com.au after the match.
“I went to bed at about 9.30, I reckon I didn’t get to sleep until about 10.30.
“Today, the nerves were there. But I think I was more excited to just get out there and get my first kick.”
Lever covered the ground well and attacked every aerial contest without reservation or doubt in his reconstructed left knee.
“I don’t even think about the knee anymore,” Lever said.
“There were no moments during the game that worried me.
“I’m feeling 100 per cent at the moment.”
All the photos from the SANFL trial
The 194cm Crow competed hard in defence for Adelaide, connecting with several strong spoils and laying an equal game-high five tackles for the match.
He recorded only 10 disposals, but Lever said it was often his impact without the ball that was the most important facet of his game.
“As a key defender, you don’t really get a lot of the ball that often,” he said.
“You have to be strong with your tackles, spoils and general pressure acts to make an impact sometimes.
“But what I focused on today was trying to marshal the troops in defence and tell people where to go with our setup. Communication is so important, especially with some of the boys who haven’t played or trained much with us.
“That’s something you can always control and it was a real focus for me today.”
Fellow draftee Harrison Wigg also impressed in the 20-point loss to the Bloods.
Wigg collected 19 disposals, three marks and a game-high nine rebound 50ms which often set up the Crows from defence into attack.
See the full stats sheet from Saturday's SANFL trial
Kangarilla-listed midfielder Matthew Spencely notched 18 possessions and six marks to be one of Adelaide’s best contributors off the development list.
Prolific midfielders Scott Thompson and Matt Crouch were the architects from the centre square, while James Podsiadly showed his class and experience with a solid game down back.
“Pods was fantastic today,” Lever said.
“Even at training, his instruction and the way he sees the game is unbelievable. Having him out there was amazing for some of the younger boys because of that experience that he has.”
Despite copping a late cork, Lever said his body felt good following his first game as a Crow and all eyes were now firmly focused on Adelaide’s Round Two clash with North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on April 11.
“I’m glad to get this first one out of the way - it was the first game of the year for a few of us today.
“Now I’m just focused on Round Two next week. Our total attention is on North Adelaide.”
