'Untruths': Jake Lever saga takes big twist
The Jake Lever-Adelaide Crows saga has taken a strange twist over the wantaway star's no-show at the club's end of year awards night.
The awkward break-up between the Crows and Lever hit a new low on Friday when the defender was reportedly told not to show up at the club's best-and-fairest count.
Fourth-year onballer Matt Crouch won the Malcolm Blight Medal, while eyebrows were raised when Lever failed to finish in the top 10.
However the wife of Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan on Monday said it was actually Lever’s call to skip the event.
“From my understanding, and I’m not a club spokesperson but I do hear a bit, and from my understanding the club is pretty bemused by all those reports,” Alana Fagan said on Triple M’s breakfast show.
“The situation was that Jake Lever advised the club that he would not be attending, he was heading straight to Melbourne, he was on his way to Melbourne.
“There are an incredible number of rumours and untruths being thrown around at this point in time, it’s the silly season, we know that happens, but for the fans it’s very difficult to decipher what is real and what’s not, so to clear that up, it was Jake’s decision.”
However Lever’s father Alan told the Herald Sun his son was devastated by Adelaide’s decision to not let him attend.
“I was pretty shattered, to be honest, because I was probably the first one he rang and he (Jake) was devastated by it, he really was,” Alan said.
SHOCK CALL: Geelong champion considering a comeback
Meanwhile, Adelaide have ruled out making a fresh bid to tempt Carlton to part with star midfielder Bryce Gibbs.
AFL clubs convened at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Monday morning for the official opening of the trade period.
The Crows are expected to be a major player in trade proceedings with Lever and Charlie Cameron requesting trades to Melbourne and Brisbane respectively.
Adelaide were also expected to make a fresh bid for Gibbs after last year's failed attempt, but list manager Justin Reid told reporters that isn't on the cards.
"We've moved on from there ... Bryce is a contracted player and I think he's happy where he is," Reid said.
"So we all move on."
Earlier, the Lions dropped a bombshell to kick off the trade period, declaring they will listen to offers for Josh Schache.
The No.2 pick at the 2015 draft signed a two-year deal to remain with the Lions earlier this season, but the club confirmed that the Victorian forward remains intent on moving back to his home state.
"We got on the front foot with Josh and his manager and had a conversation, and if things work out with both parties, we'd be interested (in trading him)," Lions football chief David Noble said.
Essendon will also be busy trying to land Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad.
Bombers football boss Rob Kerr is confident from initial discussions that he will be able to secure all three players, without trading out Aaron Francis.
The No.6 pick has requested a go-home trade to one of the South Australian clubs, but Kerr said both had greater priorities early in trade proceedings.
Kerr said the Western Bulldogs has asked for their first-round pick (no.11) in return for Stringer.
In other developments on Monday morning:
Geelong and Gold Coast have progressed their talks over a potential trade for Gary Ablett, with the Cats offering up a list of unnamed Cats players in return.
Geelong have also confirmed their interest in trading for Melbourne's Jack Watts.
Greater Western Sydney have firmly rebuffed St Kilda's interest in contracted defender Adam Tomlinson.
Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright has confirmed his club's priority is trading for contracted Port Adelaide speedster Jarman Impey
with AAP