THE WESTERN Bulldogs are out of the race for out-of-contract Adelaide defender Jake Lever.
AFL.com.au understands the club has been informed that the 21-year-old is no longer considering joining the defending premiers.
The Western Bulldogs are one of at least three Victorian clubs linked to Lever with Melbourne and Collingwood confirming in recent weeks they would be interested if he decided to return to Victoria.
Lever has played 52 games since he made his debut in round six, 2015 and has become one of the game's best intercept marking players.
Why are clubs so keen to lure Jake Lever?
He has given no public indication yet of his intention beyond this season and the Crows are clearly keen to retain him.
"It's not just about team success, it's not just about money, it's not just about your family, it's probably a combination of three or four things," Lever told 5AA radio recently.
Lever is one of two key players out of contract at Adelaide with Mitch McGovern also unsigned, while the Brisbane Lions have expressed interest in contracted speedster Charlie Cameron.
The constant speculation around their futures has led to the club's leadership group banning all banter around contracts until after the season, with the Crows on top of the ladder and guaranteed two home finals as they attempt to win their first premiership since 1998.
Adelaide coach Don Pyke has also tried to shut down all talk of contracts and was unhappy last week when Brisbane Lions' coach Chris Fagan commented on the 23-year-old.
When asked about Lever recently Pyke said he could not comment.
"I don't really want to talk about the contract stuff," he said.
