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Lever spotted at tip apparently dumping Crows gear

Jake Lever has been spotted at the tip apparently dumping unwanted Crows gear ahead of his controversial exit from the club.

In an image obtained by Seven News Adelaide, the defender appears to be unloading unwanted gear from the back of his car.

The wantaway defender has stolen headlines over the past few days after revealing to Seven News that he's requested to head back home to Melbourne after three seasons with Adelaide.

Since that announcement, matters between Lever and the Crows appear to be going drastically downhill with reports surfacing on Wednesday that the young gun's exit is a bitter one.

Adelaide management have publicly stated his decision was financially motivated, not for family reasons, and that they will trade him to whatever club gives the best offer.

His relationships among the playing group look to also be in tatters, after Garry Lyon revealed on radio that captain Taylor Walker took the news terribly when called by Lever.

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"Tex Walker, as the captain of the football club, was furious and let him (Lever) know in no uncertain manner," Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

"I’m told it was very aggressive."

Reporter Sam McClure added Walker was not the only senior player unhappy with the actions of Lever.

"There have been senior players at the Adelaide football club who have been unhappy about this situation for several months now," McClure said.

"It’s been going on at training and it’s been going on behind the scenes. It started off as banter — it increased to more than just that.

"In the last 48 hours it has got to the point where the pressure valve had to be released.

"When Jake Lever picked up the phone and decided to call every player on the list to explain what his decision was, and he was seeking a request home to the Melbourne footy club and to go home to Victoria to be closer to family, there were some players that accepted his phone call and were grateful for it.

"There were others, including the captain Taylor Walker who weren’t so happy, and the phone call was very short, and his intentions were made very clear.

"The exit meeting between the head of footy Brett Burton and (coach) Don Pyke didn’t go so amicably.

"My guess is you will not see Jake Lever at the best and fairest on Friday."

Lever's manager Ned Guy told NAB Trade Radio that some players didn't even want the defender playing in the finals.

Lever has established himself as a top-quality intercept defender since he was the 14th overall pick at the 2014 draft.

Adelaide are reported to be asking for two first-round draft picks in return for the uncontracted player and they don't much care which of the 10 Victorian clubs they come from.

"We're in discussions with a number of Melbourne-based teams and at the end of the day, he's not a free agent," Adelaide football chief Brett Burton told AFL Trade Radio.

"It's irrelevant to myself and the Adelaide footy club where he wants to go to. We'll deal with whoever gives the best value."

Tex (R) is not happy. Image: Getty
Tex (R) is not happy. Image: Getty

Burton said it was clear Lever's decision was financially motivated and that the Crows weren't prepared to make the 21-year-old the highest-paid player at the club.

Lever's departure is expected to allow the Crows the room to take another run at tempting contracted Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs.

Charlie Cameron has been touted as a target for Brisbane but Adelaide haven't received a trade request from the contracted midfielder.

The AFL's annual player market doesn't start until next Monday, but there were plenty of developments on the trade front on Tuesday.

A frustrated and disappointed Jack Watts remains hopeful he can continue with the Demons next season, despite Simon Goodwin's encouragement to look elsewhere.

Geelong's pursuit of Gary Ablett will be another trade talking point but Cats premiership skipper Cameron Ling warned the club not to jeopardise their future to land the two-time Brownlow Medal winner.

Ling doesn't want Geelong to trade a draft pick with a youngster like Darcy Lang or Wylie Buzza to Gold Coast for Ablett.

Steven Motlop, who was shopped around by the Cats last year, toured the Suns' facilities on Tuesday.

"It's all part of the process ... I've got a lot to work out with my future," Motlop told Channel Seven.

Meanwhile, fallen star Jake Stringer will take some extra time to work through his switch from the Western Bulldogs.


With AAP