PROMISING draft prospect Jake Lever is determined to make something of 2014, despite scans confirming a knee reconstruction will rule him out of next season.   

The aggressive tall defender, who has been earmarked as a possible top-10 draft pick next year, will undergo surgery next week after scans revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The injury will mean the 17-year-old is likely to miss all of the season with his TAC Cup side Calder Cannons, plus representative matches for Vic Metro and the AIS-AFL Academy squad.

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Lever jarred the knee while on the Academy's camp on the Gold Coast late last month during a match simulation drill, but was initially cleared of ligament damage.

The prospect of a long-term knee injury didn't cross his mind again until the pain continued when he arrived back in Melbourne, and an MRI scan delivered the bad news this week.

"There's a lot of thoughts that have gone through my head but I'm not sure what to think," Lever told AFL.com.au.

Like many knee injuries, the incident was thought to be relatively innocuous. Lever jumped, stretched and punched the ball away in a contest, but came down on his leg the wrong way.

"To tell you the truth, I never thought it was this significant," Lever said.  

"But in the end getting the scans after it was sore, it's come to this. I'm obviously disappointed but I'll have to get over it and get it (the reconstruction) done as soon as possible to get into the recovery process.

"I'm looking forward to getting it out of the way, getting it strong again, and coming back next year."

Lever can take some solace from the fact he took his opportunities this year. As a bottom-aged player he captained Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships – a rare accomplishment – and he played four games for his state against older draft-eligible players.

The 191cm backman is physical, attacks the contest and is a natural leader. He was a standout in the Cannons' run to the preliminary final in the TAC Cup.

"You never think that you're going to do an ACL, but now that it has happened I appreciate what I did last year and what I was able to achieve," he said.

After a couple of days getting his head around the news, Lever has already had a quick think about how he can help the Cannons next year alongside his rehabilitation.

"I'm sure I'll be doing something in the coaches' box or down at the interchange bench, and being at training every night that I can. I'll definitely be still involved," Lever said.

Calder’s talent manager Ian Kyte was confident the injury wouldn't harm Lever's draft position too much.  

"He'll be up, fit and healthy for the draft next year," Kyte said.

"He's worked hard with his rehab in the past with minor injuries and it's unfortunate, but he'll get through."