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Lever grounded in scare for AFL premiers

Shayne HopeAAP
Melbourne defender Jake Lever required assistance after a gruelling AFL pre-season running session.
Camera IconMelbourne defender Jake Lever required assistance after a gruelling AFL pre-season running session. Credit: AAP

All-Australian defender Jake Lever has been given the all clear by Melbourne medical staff after he fainted during the 2021 premiers' first full training session of the AFL pre-season.

Lever sent a scare through the camp when he required assistance after a gruelling running session at Casey Fields.

But the 25-year-old was assessed and got to his feet after about 15 minutes, eventually walking unassisted off the training ground.

The majority of the Demons' premiership stars reported back for duty on Monday, a day after celebrating their drought-breaking flag with their families and 30,000 supporters at the MCG.

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Experienced midfielder Jack Viney said new high-performance chief Selwyn Griffith had prepared players for a tough first session.

Griffith has taken over the top role after serving under renowned fitness guru Darren Burgess, who left for Adelaide, and had the Dees' senior players working hard during their off-season breaks.

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"He wants to make his mark pretty early and he's got us training really hard at the moment," Viney said on Sunday.

"There's a bit of nervous energy about the (1km) time trials."

Lever's scare aside, Melbourne have a relatively clean bill of health heading into the summer training block.

It serves as an early warning sign for their flag rivals, with Viney adamant the Demons are as hungry as ever for more success after their grand final triumph over the Western Bulldogs in September.

Viney, who is entering his 10th pre-season program, said the sheer number of players at unofficial training sessions during their break was a good sign.

"It has allowed us to train to a really high quality and even get some low-level drills and game simulation happening," the 27-year-old said.

"From personal experience, I think the majority of the playing group are even fitter than they were coming into the pre-season last year.

"We're in a really good position and I know the guys are looking forward to jumping back into training."

Melbourne will open the 2022 season in a rematch with the Bulldogs at the MCG.

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