Waldron: Pies “blew” Lever chance

Former St Kilda chief executive Brian Waldron is reporting Collingwood have blown their chance to sign in-demand Adelaide defender Jake Lever.

Lever is out of contract at the end of 2017 and is one of the most sought-after commodities on the market. However, the Magpies, who Waldron once believed were one of the favourites, have now reportedly fallen behind the eight ball in the race for the 21-year-old.

“Collingwood blew it up,” he told SEN’s Hungry For Sport.

“Things that have taken place at Collingwood over the last six weeks haven’t helped them. Had there been changes afoot there, we may have seen Lever going there.”

Waldron also added Melbourne is in the “box seat” to secure Lever’s services, while the Western Bulldogs are still telling people they’re in the mix, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Lever leads the AFL for intercept possessions, amassing 9.8 per game across the home-and-away campaign.