Jake Lever

Since winning an AFL Premiership with the Demons in 2021, Jake Lever has been a mainstay of the Virtus gym floor throughout his off-seasons. Currently juggling father time, being a husband to his amazing Wife, Jess, and hunting a 2nd premiership with the Demons; Jake was super generous to join Tyler for an incredible 2 hour chat on the Podcast!

We talk about how life has changed for the All-Australian defender since having children and moving down to the Peninsula, how he coped with dwindling motivation in 2022 after ticking off 2 of the biggest goals of his career in 2021, and the shift in culture at the club that ultimately led to the Melbourne Demons becoming the successful powerhouse club that they are today.

0:00 - Jake’s favourite thing about Virtus
3:41 - Coping with a lack of motivation in 2022 after the 2021 Premiership
15:00 - What changes have been made at the club to help the boys mentally rejuvenate?
17:56 - What does a week look like in-season?
19:38 - What do you enjoy doing for recovery?
21:22 - How do you balance footy with being a father/husband?
30:56 - Meeting Jess (Wife)
33:31 - Getting drafted to Adelaide
39:35 - Biggest learning from living with Patrick Dangerfield
42:10 - Was SA a more intense footy state than Victoria?
44:05 - Moving back to Melbourne (& “booing”)
47:34 - 2017 Grand Final loss & relationship with Tex Walker
51:21 - Which opposition player would you love to play alongside?
54:12 - Culture shift at the Melbourne footy club before the 2021 Premiership
1:03:36 - What changes did you make to become the best intercept player in the AFL?
1:13:49 - Moving to the Peninsula
1:23:05 - Best thing your kids have taught you
1:26:35 - Favourite thing about Jess
1:32:27 - Teammate word association
1:33:39 - Fan questions
1:33:40 - Would you rather 1v1 Pig or May?
1:34:32 - What do you love about James Jordon?
1:35:20 - Would you consider a move to the MPNFL post-career?
1:35:37 - What is your favourite country song?
1:39:20 - Moustache talk
1:42:37 - Last time you cried or felt overwhelmed emotionally?
1:53:26 - Favourite thing about Simon Goodwin
1:54:50 - Dave Ryan nearly killing Jake with a barbell