Jake Lever admits Demons teammates 'haven't understood' Christian Petracca's terrifying injuries
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Melbourne defender Jake Lever has admitted he and teammates were left shocked, after Christian Petracca revealed the extent of his season-ending injuries to the playing group on Monday.
The 2021 premiership star also clarified his extended break in Noosa, as well as growing trade speculation.
Further, there have been suggestions that Petracca had become disgruntled and disillusioned with the club.
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Now, Lever has opened up on the confronting conversation, putting to bed any speculations that there are breakdowns within the club.
"For senior players like myself, it was really an eye-opener of what he's been going through," Lever said on Wednesday on SEN Radio.
Petracca was helped off in agony back in round 13, after suffering serious injuries against Collingwood. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"We probably just haven't understood what he's gone through since his injury. He spent a long time away from the football club.
Lever says it feels like a "weight" has been lifted off Petracca's shoulders since that discussion.
"I know he wasn't in (at the club) a hell of a lot over the last 10 to 12 weeks, but since he's spoken to the group about what he's gone through, you can see him coming through the door (again)," he said.
"It was almost like a weight had lifted off his shoulders. He's back involved, (we see) his smiling face at the football club again, that's the Christian Petracca that I've missed."
But Lever doesn't hold any hard feelings towards Petracca, despite his long absence during the crucial weeks of their season, as they attempted to lock in finals for the fifth consecutive year.
"I fully understood once he explained to me that he needed time away and needed time with his fiance Bella, to really get away and football wasn't the priority at that time, which is completely understandable," Lever said.
"Everyone goes through ups and downs in life and his happens to be a little bit more public than most others.
Jack Viney of the Demons is carried off for his 200th game by Jake Lever and Christian Petracca. Getty
"I love seeing him at the football club now with a smiling face."
Lever also said he was shocked to hear of trade rumours swirling around Petracca.
The Demons will play their last game for 2024 against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.
