THE SEASON-ENDING knee injury suffered by Melbourne star Jake Lever is a significant one in the context of the Demons' season given the importance of his intercept-heavy role in the back half.

After an inauspicious start to his career at the Demons, Lever has been a strong contributor over Melbourne's six-game winning streak.

The Demons have kept their rivals to 62 points over that period with Lever's increased confidence in his role and a few tweaks Melbourne has made to its overall team defence crucial in its improvement.

Lever, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his previously reconstructed left knee, is Melbourne's No.1 intercept player this season and by a fair margin.

The former Crow has taken a club-leading 27 intercept marks this season, with teammate Neville Jetta the next best with 22.

FULL BLOWOUT A SHOCK Lever speaks on injury

Lever is No.2 at the club for spoils and ranked fourth at the Demons for contested marks, score launches and effective metres gained according to Champion Data.

What Lever excels at, and what he demonstrated so consistently at his time at Adelaide, is reading the flight of the ball and coming across as a third-man in to the contest to support his teammates.

Melbourne will lose that capability in his absence but luckily there are a few options waiting in the wings to replace the star defender for the Queen's Birthday clash with Collingwood and going forward this season. 

Sam Frost

Frost has played two games this season, in rounds three and four, and would be one of the leading contenders for a call-up. The powerful defender does not offer the same intercept ability as Lever, but is well-suited to playing as the second tall defender alongside Oscar McDonald. Frost has been a solid performer at VFL level this season and will come heavily into consideration.

Jayden Hunt

The speedy half-back flanker has put two consistent games together (he was also the travelling emergency for the trip to Alice Springs in round 10) over the last three weeks as he looks to recapture his best form. Has worked on simplifying his role after being dropped for the second time this year following round seven. Hunt has genuine line-breaking ability but his inclusion would force a reshuffle of the Demons' backline. Seems a more realistic replacement should Jordan Lewis or Bernie Vince need a rest in the coming weeks. 

Declan Keilty

The rookie-listed defender has made some significant strides in his development this season, playing a variety of roles down back and even in the ruck at times. Keilty is strong in the contest and an effective spoiler of the ball. Not a big possession winner and there appears to be a few in front of him at this stage of the year.

Cameron Pedersen/Tom McDonald

This appears extremely unlikely but could Melbourne move Tom McDonald, who has kicked 19 goals in six games as a forward, back to defence? The answer is surely no, but Pedersen is banging down the door after being a clear standout for Casey. Pedersen booted another four majors against Williamstown at the weekend and has pulled up well after copping a head knock in the game. Nevertheless, the Demons won't shift the oldest McDonald brother when he's in such hot form. 

Harrison Petty

After recovering from an elbow injury that restricted him in the pre-season, Petty has been consistent presence in defence for Casey. An Under-18 All Australian, his bodywork and positioning in contests is advanced for a young player and the Demons have been impressed with his development. Took 11 marks against Port Melbourne three weeks ago, but is unlikely to come in to the team at the moment as he works on developing consistency. 

Joel Smith

Smith is a supreme athlete, one of the best on Melbourne's list in terms of power and speed combo. Although raw in regard to his football experience, Smith is highly rated for his spring in the air and his ability to move laterally. A versatile defensive option, Smith – the son of former Demon high-flyer Shaun, can play on both talls and smalls. Coach Simon Goodwin is a big admirer of the former category B rookie.

Smith is in the mix to replace Lever. Picture: AFL Photos

Josh Wagner

Internally, Wagner was the Demons' top-performed defender across the first month of the season but a drop-off in form saw him lose his place after the club's loss to Richmond in round five. Wagner can play taller than his 189cm frame suggests, while he can also play on smalls. A very real prospect of earning a recall.

Verdict 

Frost appears to most to be the leading candidate to replace Lever, but don't discount Smith. The athletic defender plays in a manner the Demons' coaching staff encourage their backmen to play in, starting with his approach to the contest and basing everything he does in attack off of that. Smith played three games in 2017 and is a strong chance to add to his career tally starting this week against the Magpies.