MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Jake Lever of the Demons handpasses the ball during the round four AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Melbourne defender Jake Lever will miss the remainder of the 2018 season after scans confirmed he ruptured his ACL during his side's win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney lamented the loss of the club's emerging star defender.

“It is dissapointing news that Jake will miss the rest of the 2018 season,” he told Melbourne Media. 

“After finding his feet early on, Jake has displayed the type of form we recruited him for – he has been an integral part of our team’s recent winning form.

“Although we will be without Jake for the rest of the season, his absence creates an opportunity for for another defender to come in to the team, we look forward to Jake returning fully fit for our 2019 season.”

The 22-year old has played 66 AFL games and crossed over from Adelaide this season.

Is is the same ACL Lever ruptured ahead of his draft year. Prior to the injury he was touted as a top five pick, but fell to pick 14.