Recruit Jake Lever says he plans to repay Adelaide’s faith and prove his doubters wrong after being selected by the Crows with pick No.14 in the AFL National Draft.

Regarded by some as the best key defender in the Draft, Lever was touted as a possible top-three pick before rupturing the ACL in his left knee at AIS-AFL training last December. Even as recently as a fortnight ago, the competitive 18-year-old was being linked to Melbourne’s No.3 pick.

Instead, Lever slipped to pick No.14 where the Crows, who would’ve picked the impressive 193cm, 84kg, backman with their original pick at No.10, were waiting to pounce.

Lever visited the Club earlier this season and said he was thrilled to be joining Adelaide.

“I'm absolutely stoked. I was pretty nervous at pick No.12-13, but once my name was read out I was relieved and it was a big weight off my shoulders,” Lever told afc.com.au.

“I was excited just to get drafted, but coming to Adelaide I’m just absolutely rapt. I’m really looking forward to coming to the Crows and getting started.”

Lever is 11 months into his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction.

The diligent teenager tested at the Draft Combine in October, running a 3.19 in the 20-metre sprint and 10:32 for the three-kilometre time trial. He tested his fitness further by competing in the Noosa Triathlon in November, not to prove anything to recruiters but to achieve a personal goal.

Recent scans showed Lever’s reconstructed knee had healed well, and Adelaide’s medical team gave him the tick of approval after a thorough assessment. Lever will be available to start training with his teammates when he arrives in Adelaide next week.

“My knee is really good. I’ll be ready to start pre-season training with full contact,” he said.

“During the draft build up, it was in the back of my mind that clubs might not pick me because of my injury, but now that I’m at the Crows at pick 14 I’m just absolutely stoked.

“I think I was a worthy pick 14. The best thing I can do now is to work hard and prove all the clubs that didn’t pick me wrong.”

Lever impressed recruiters even without playing a single minute of football this year.

He assumed coaching roles with his Calder Cannons and Vic Metro teams, attending every game and training session, where he would complete his rehabilitation away from the main group. On TAC Cup Grand Final Day, Lever pulled on his playing gear and warmed up with his teammates, sending a scare through the opposition camp, who thought for a fleeting second that he was playing. He watched the game from the sidelines, but still made his presence felt.

It’s this type of leadership that saw him captain Vic Metro as a 17-year-old in 2013.

“I think leadership is a strength of mine. I also think my team-first approach and competitiveness are two other things I can bring to any team and, especially, now that I’m at the Crows,” he said.

“I read about (coach) Phil Walsh the other day and his team-first philosophy. Personally, that’s a big thing for me in my footy as well. I’m just looking forward to getting to know him and all the players.”

Lever, his parents, brothers and sister, and partner had dinner with Walsh and Adelaide’s recruiting staff following the Draft. The family will return to Victoria just long enough for eldest child, Jake, to pack his bags for the trip to South Australia. The Levers celebrated with their son at the draft table when his AFL dream was realised on Thursday night.

“My family were thrilled for me,” Lever said.

“Mum’s probably happy to get me out of the house! The reality is it (moving) is part of football and part of life. I think I’m a very independent person. I think I was going to move out at the end of this year or next anyway.

“I’m happy to be coming to the Crows. I want to be an Adelaide player for the next 10-15 years.”

Lever hails from the same TAC Cup team as new teammate Daniel Talia, who was taken by Adelaide with pick No.13 in the 2009 National Draft. Lever, who has an excellent balance of defence and attack in his game, said he hoped to learn from the All Australian and best and fairest winner.

“I don’t know Daniel personally, but I certainly know of him and he’s a fantastic player. If I can come into the Club and learn from him, I’ll be in good stead to develop more as a player.”