GRADUALLY things were getting easier for Jake Lever. After having his left knee reconstructed in December last year following a training mishap, Lever came to terms with the fact he would not play a game in his draft year.
 
The first month was busy with icing and resting, simultaneously, and as soon as he could walk without crutches he did; grabbing a footy and making sure it was in his hands as often as possible.
 
He got back into swimming, and then some work on the bike, and in three weeks is expected to start running again.
 
"At least I can see myself going somewhere now, whereas in the first month I was at a standstill," Lever told AFL.com.au.
 
"That's how I've got through in the three-and-a-bit months since it happened, just seeing my progress and being able to feel it's getting better".
 
That was until round one, two weeks ago, when his side the Calder Cannons played its first TAC Cup game of the year. Lever would have missed the game had he been fit anyway, thanks to a suspension from last year's preliminary final, but that didn't ease the churn in his stomach watching on. It dawned on him it would be his lot for the year.
 
"That's probably the toughest it's been. The practice matches were all right, but then when you see everyone at the ground, and the atmosphere, and the boys getting up and about before the game, it does hurt," he said.
 
"I'm trying to keep as involved as possible with the coaching side of things, and telling the guys what I can see happening on the ground. That's helped me, heaps. But it is hard."
 

Peter Wright was devastated when he heard Lever was out for 2014. Wright, his Cannons teammate, was with Lever at the Gold Coast with the AIS-AFL Academy when he hurt his knee, then only thought to be jarred.
 
So when Wright texted Lever after training one afternoon and the news came back, a few things raced through his mind.
 
"It was confirmed he was out for 12 months and I was so shattered for him because he had such a good year last year," Wright said.
 
"It's unfortunate for him, obviously, but also for us at Calder as he'll be sorely missed at centre-half back and we can't replace him.
 
"At training I see him on the side doing some handballs and I miss just going up against him. I can't develop with him which is disappointing because he really helps me improve as well."
 
Circumstances might have forced Wright and Lever to have different outlooks on their draft year, but both are among a handful of highly rated key position players at the top end of this year's pool.
 
At 203cm and 102kg, Wright is taller, and a long, straight kick. He plays mainly through centre-half forward, his favoured position, and likes to run and roam up the wings, taking marks and kicking goals. At the weekend, in Calder's second game, he booted five, four coming in the first term.  
 
Wherever he goes not many can keep up: at AIS-AFL Academy testing last November, Wright ran a 14.4 beep test.
 
Things have been restricted since then, with an irritated hamstring tendon holding him back over the pre-season. The 17-year-old was extra cautious, having dealt with back injuries over the past two years.
 
"I was pretty interrupted last year missing a whole pre-season, and it affected me while I was playing," he said. "I'm really keen to get out there, play every week back-to-back, try and find some form and see where that takes me," Wright said.
 
Along with every recruiter in the country, some of which think Wright is the best player available, Lever will be watching him closely. 

"Once he's up and going he's hard to stop," Lever said.
 





 

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