By Sam McClure, Peter Ryan and Jake Niall
Melbourne star Clayton Oliver was transported to Footscray Hospital by ambulance following a medical episode in which he hit his head as the result of a seizure, but he has since been discharged.
Melbourne Football Club confirmed in a statement that the hospital completed a number of tests before Oliver returned home where he was recovering.
A Western Health spokesman had earlier confirmed that a 26-year-old man was admitted to Footscray’s emergency department and was no longer in hospital.
Clayton Oliver with teammate Jake Lever.Credit: Getty Images
“The Melbourne Football Club can confirm that Clayton Oliver was admitted to hospital,” the statement said.
“Clayton was transported to hospital via ambulance, following a medical episode. The hospital completed a number of tests and Clayton has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home. The club will continue to work with Clayton and his medical support team to ensure he receives all the necessary treatment.
“We ask that media respect Clayton’s privacy at this time.”
A source familiar with Oliver’s circumstances confirmed that he had hit his head following a seizure.
Melbourne said last week they were aware of, and supporting Oliver with “his personal circumstances for some time”, and sources said they still remain focused on giving him the care and support he needs to manage his challenges, with his health being their number one priority.
Oliver’s admission to hospital comes only a matter of days after the four-time best and fairest had frank conversations with senior coach Simon Goodwin and the player leadership group about his standards, in discussions that saw the Demons shelve the possibility of trading him.
A source familiar with those discussions, who did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the club had not wanted to trade Oliver as long as he adhered to the standards the leaders requested. If he had not agreed, then a trade was on the agenda.
That discussion led to a tumultuous week for Oliver, who was the source of interest from rival clubs ahead of the annual AFL trade period, before the Demons and their star player committed to each other late last week. Former Demon Garry Lyon also told SEN he had a chat with Oliver last week and was proud of the way Melbourne was dealing with the 26-year-old.
Club CEO Gary Pert asked for Oliver’s privacy to be respected in a message to members last week as the club assisted the 2021 premiership player, in working through his personal issues.
“While club leaders focus on the care and support Clayton needs, we also have a responsibility to uphold our strong club culture for the benefit of all our players and staff. We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone within the club is committed to meeting the expected behavioural standards of a player within an AFL high-performance environment.
“Clayton understands what is expected of him as a professional athlete, as well as the standards and behaviours a Melbourne person is expected to uphold.”
Oliver had dinner with Goodwin, football boss Alan Richardson and Gieschen last Thursday, with “robust” conversations part of the breakthrough.
Clayton Oliver missed a big chunk of the season with a hamstring injury.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s been confronting, but out of all of this it’s an opportunity to grow,” Gieschen told AFL Media last weekend.
“Off the back of a lot of the hard, honest, robust conversations it’s given him a chance to get some stuff off his chest and some time to heal.
“He very much loves the Melbourne Football Club, it’s like his family.
“He’s grown up there, he feels very strongly about the footy club and the players and coaches, and sometimes families fight, but he’s got enormous respect for ‘Goody’.
“And as much as it’s been challenging I don’t think he can see himself playing under another coach because of all the support he’s had from the footy club.”
Gieschen said there was “genuine” interest from other clubs, but dinner at Goodwin’s house had “settled” matters.
“After three or four days of him processing it, it was a bit of a coming together and a ‘let’s get on with it’ and he took it on board,” Gieschen said.
Oliver attended Melbourne’s best and fairest night on Friday, which was won by teammate Christian Petracca, and was among players honoured for reaching a milestone, having played his 150th game during the season.
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