MELBOURNE will continue to tinker with its backline, now that boom recruit Jake Lever is sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Lever has missed the past two games, with Joel Smith his replacement for the previous two rounds.

But finding the right mix between height, plus youth and experience will continue in recent weeks, says game analyst and education coordinator Craig Jennings.

“When a good player like Jake Lever goes down, we have to explore and test and learn, and try a few different things down back. Joel Smith has been in the VFL all year and he’s come in for the past two weeks and has done a really good job,” he told Melbourne Media.

“This week, with a nine-day break, which has been a really good opportunity to review what we did really well and what worked well in the Port Adelaide game.

“It also gives you time to look at your defensive system, but the reality is that the game connects, so if we can keep that ball in the forward half, then we’ve got time to set-up our defensive side of our game.”

“This competition demands that you keep improving and adjusting, because everyone else is. You’ve got no choice but to keep analysing and adjusting your game style.

“Teams are trying to turn your strengths into weaknesses and if you’ve got any flaws, they’ll really exploit it.”

Jennings said replacing Lever, who was an All-Australian squad member last year, was difficult to replace.

But he said there were several players in contention for a call-up to play down back against St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday. They include the likes of Cam Pedersen, Harry Petty and Sam Frost. 

“If you’re in our match committee, we’ve thrown up every scenario and every alternative. All of those boys are doing everything right – in terms of the ones in the VFL,” Jennings said.

“Pedo has had a sensational year [in the VFL] and when he hasn’t played in the senior team, he’s been emergency most weeks, so he’s right there putting pressure on the players in the senior team.

 “Harrison Petty is someone we rate really highly in the footy club and he was an emergency for us last week, so that shows he’s right in those discussions.

“Sam Frost was in the best players last week and played a sensational game, and I know Jade Rawlings was really impressed with what he’s been doing, so his name comes up every week as well.”

Jennings said Casey Demons coach Jade Rawlings had been instrumental in getting Melbourne-listed players in the VFL to put pressure on the AFL team.   

“Jade’s doing a great job with Casey and that’s part of why we’re in the top eight, because the players in the VFL are putting pressure on the senior team.

“When we get an injury, guys are coming in and performing at a high level, like Joel Smith. We’ve felt all year that players’ names have been coming up in selection and there have been some really close calls every week.

“Casey is second on the ladder in the VFL, so that reflects really well on everyone across the footy club who is contributing.”