ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker says the homecomings of Bryce Gibbs to the Crows and Jake Lever to the Demons cannot be compared.

Walker criticised Lever, who joined Melbourne during this year's NAB AFL Trade Period after playing a key role in Adelaide making the Grand Final, for "choosing money over success".

Lever, like Gibbs, was keen to return home to be closer to family, but was out of contract, unlike the 29-year-old former Blue who still had two seasons to run on what was a five-year deal.

The major difference Walker saw between the pair's defections was that Gibbs accepted a pay cut, whereas Lever's new four-year deal with the Demons is reportedly worth $750,000 a season.

"My response is that Bryce Gibbs has come back to Adelaide and he's taken a pay cut to come back and spend time with family," Walker told Triple M.

"He's taken a pay cut, so that's pretty simple."

Gibbs and discarded Kangaroo Sam Gibson, who owns the AFL's longest active streak of games at 130, were the Crows' playing additions, with Lever, Charlie Cameron and Harrison Wigg moving elsewhere.

Cameron successfully requested a trade to the Brisbane Lions, also to rejoin family, despite being contracted for 2018.

Walker did not waste his latest chance to have a none-too-subtle dig at Lever and possibly also Cameron.

"Sam Gibson and Bryce Gibbs, they don't only bring talent; they bring hard work, leadership and (are) great characters," Walker said.

"That's what we like to get at our football club. I rate people with leadership and character."