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Bickley questions North’s interest in Demons defender Lever
Connor Scanlon • July 30th, 2025 1:19 pm
Despite being contracted until the end of 2028, Jake Lever has emerged as a potential trade target for North Melbourne.
Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris revealed that interest in the 29-year-old defender has emerged from Arden Street.
“North Melbourne has preliminary interest in contracted Melbourne veteran Jake Lever,” Morris said on Nine News.
“They have discussed him, and are weighing up a possible move for him in the trade period.”
However, Adelaide great Mark Bickley is questioning the logic behind investing in a veteran who was only recently dropped from Melbourne’s struggling side.
“I would like to think that you could go maybe a little bit younger,” Bickley said on SEN’s SA Breakfast.
“Jake Lever has been dropped by the Melbourne footy club, who are a pretty basic footy club at the moment as well.
“They’re not one of the high-flying clubs.”
Bickley pointed to the club’s recent recruitment of veterans Luke Parker, Caleb Daniel, and Jack Darling as the exact reason why North shouldn’t pursue the ageing Demon.
“How are we judging Jack Darling? Tick or fail, I don’t know,” Bickley admitted.
“Has it moved the needle? No.
“Caleb Daniel, I’m not sure he’s moved the needle all that much.”
While Parker has been “okay”, Bickley argued his presence could be damaging the development of younger midfielders.
“The one thing North Melbourne have a plethora of is midfielders,” admitted Bickley.
“And so, when Luke Parker at 31 is in the midfield, is there another young midfielder that’s not playing in that position?
“So, I’m not sure about going and grabbing a 30-year-old, whose best footy is behind him."
The two-time Crows premiership captain argued that North Melbourne should instead pick up a younger player who has more potential.
“I’d be more interested in spending some of your salary cap on a 25-year-old up-and-comer,” he added.
Despite the speculation, Lever is contracted with the Demons until the end of 2028.
Just over two weeks ago, Dees coach Simon Goodwin was confident the 2021 premiership player would not be leaving the club anytime soon.
“He’s a passionate Melbourne man and is going to be here for a long time,” he said on Fox Footy.
