OFF-CONTRACT Adelaide defender Jake Lever is waiting for the collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and the AFL Players' Association to be finalised before signing on the dotted line for next year.
The 21-year-old will be hot property the longer he remains unsigned.
Lever said he hadn't put contract talks with the Crows on hold, but he wanted to know what the salary cap was going to be next year before committing his future.
"In terms of my contract status, I'm sort of waiting for the CBA to be done, but my manager is in constant talks with the club," Lever told 5AA on Tuesday.
"With the CBA not being done, it's almost like you're building the house without a budget, so you don't really know what you're working with.
"I'm happy here and hopefully it gets done sooner rather than later."
Lever has become an integral part of the Crows' backline since arriving at the club with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.
His ability to play on tall and small forwards makes him an attractive proposition to rival clubs.
"I lot of people tend to think blokes sign for money, but at the end of the day, I know for me it's a little bit about my family," he said.
"My girlfriend (who is from Victoria) is over here (in Adelaide), she's going to play a massive part in the decision.
"Family is such an important part in contracts these days.
"People think it's all about the money, but it's not.
"For me, it's about family, culture of the club and everybody wants to win a premiership, I think that's the most important thing as well."
Lever missed the JLT Community Series with a hamstring injury and played in the club's SANFL team for a second straight week last weekend.
But after an impressive performance against Norwood, Lever has put his hand up to return to the side for Saturday night's top of the table Showdown with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
"I was disappointed at the start of the week, but I knew I just had to put my head down, play well and give (coach Don Pyke) and the match committee a reason to pick me," Lever said.
"I think I played well enough, so I'll just have to wait and see until Thursday.
"In my mind, I'm ready."
