WHILE the past two months have certainly had their challenges, Jake Lever has been able to benefit from the additional hours at home.
In 2020, the 24-year-old has become a father for the first time, allowing him to be there for his wife, Jess, and new son, Jace.
“For me it’s been a little bit of a win,” Lever said on the club’s Inside Melbourne podcast.
“As much as it’s a difficult time for everyone and difficult time for not only the footy club but the wider community, but for me, I had a son 12 weeks ago now.
“It’s just been that perfect timing.
“I’ve been able to see things that being in a strict football environment … I probably wouldn’t have seen a lot of the things that I’ve been able to see.”
Lever, who has still been putting in plenty of work away from the club, has found the perfect balance in his life since the beginning of isolation.
“I’ve got a bit of a routine at the minute of waking up in the morning, spending an hour or so with him, going to training from 8am until about 12pm, and then … I’m in full dad mode,” he said.
“It is going to be really hard I think to go back to training for me personally.
“Worrying about missing out on things that I’ve seen, but just understanding that this is what most dads do when they get back to work and let the mum sort of take over and really bring the kid up.”
Although the Dees defender admits being away from his son will be tough, he’s grateful for the extra time he’s spent with his family and is ready to return to the footy field.
“For me, it’s been amazing to be able to support Jess through this time, because I have seen some times where Jess only gets two or three hours sleep,” Lever said.
“Then to be able to let her rest throughout the day has been really good.”
Watch the full podcast below to hear Lever preview the remainder of the AFL season.
