JAKE Lever has nothing more to prove ahead of his first game in Melbourne colours in Saturday's JLT Community Series clash with North Melbourne, teammate Jake Melksham says.
Lever's departure from Adelaide was met with criticism from some ex-teammates who accused him of jumping ship from a team that seemed destined for success.
The Crows received two first-round draft picks (including a future first-rounder) in exchange for the young defender, with Melbourne signing Lever to a lucrative four-year deal.
Melksham said 21-year-old Lever, who has repeatedly said he returned to Victoria for family reasons, would not allow the focus and expectation surrounding the ex-Crow to get to him.
"I don't think he will (feel any added pressure)," Melksham said on Friday at Melbourne Airport before the team's flight to Hobart.
"He's pretty mature and a level-headed guy. He'll certainly be excited that he's playing his first game for Melbourne and putting the jumper on."
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Lever and Melksham are part of a strong squad the Demons are taking to Kingston Twins Ovals, with Jack Viney, Dom Tyson and Neville Jetta the only real key absentees.
Melksham said the clash against the Kangaroos would give the Demons an accurate assessment of where they sat just a month out from the start of round one.
"It'll be a good chance for us to test ourselves against North Melbourne in the purest format of the game," Melksham said, alluding to Melbourne's AFLX triumph last week.
"Four quarters of normal footy this week will be fun."
Melksham said the club was hopeful Viney (foot) and Tyson (calf) would be available for the club's second JLT Community Series game against St Kilda at Casey Fields on March 8.
"Jack trained for the first time the other day for really his first time this pre-season and he got through really well," Melksham said.
"Dom's still recovering from his calf which we expect to only be another week away.
"We've only got two games before round one and you want to get your best squad out on the park to get as much game time in them as we can to be prepared for round one."
