IN-DEMAND Adelaide star Jake Lever has denied reports he met with Melbourne officials.
The 21-year-old defender is out of contract at the end of the year and is attracting the attention of several clubs eager to gain his services.
Reports surfaced last week Lever had recently caught up with the Demons, while there has also been interest from the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood.
Lever used his fortnightly spot on Adelaide radio station FIVEaa to shoot down the reports.
"No, I didn't," Lever said when asked if he met with Melbourne.
"That's some of things that you just laugh at.
"The things that get reported, you almost chuckle about it and you just know these things aren't true.
"Obviously, there's speculation and that sort of stuff, but as a person, myself and the people who are close to me know that I didn't do it, and that's the most important thing."
Lever has developed into one of the competition's most damaging defenders with his intercept marking ability.
He has continued to turn in impressive performances despite the uncertainty over his future, playing a key role for the ladder-leading Crows as they chase the club's first premiership since 1998.
"I don't think it's a distraction because as I've said before, don't believe everything you see in the media, because if you do, you end up going crazy," he said.
"As players, I just sit back, not only about myself, you sit back and laugh at some things that get reported that you know aren't true.
"For me, it's not a distraction.
"I'm just focused on … we've got such an opportunity this year to go a long way into September. "That's purely the focus for me."
Lever said he has spoken with captain Taylor Walker and wouldn't be rushed into making a decision.
"As a footballer, you always want to play in successful teams," Lever said.
"It's not just about team success, it's not just about money, it's not just about your family, it's probably a combination of three or four things.
"When I make my decision, that's what it's probably going to be about."
Lever plans to meet his manager Ned Guy either this week or next week.
He said there could be a chance talks get put off until the end of the season to allow the Crows to concentrate on winning the premiership.
"The club might come to me and sort of put it on me to put it off until the end of the year (because) we've got a great opportunity here," Lever said.
"I'm sure that's a conversation we will have in time."
The Crows are also aiming to retain young forward Mitch McGovern, while defender Jake Kelly and swingman Andy Otten are also unsigned for next year.
