Geelong declares interest in Demons star Clayton Oliver only fleeting

Trades will start flowing in the AFL from Monday, but there’s one that won’t happen after a firm statement from Geelong.

Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie declared interest in Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver was “fleeting” as he put a full stop on any potential move after a week of drama.

As the AFL’s trade period officially began on Monday, Mackie sad the Cats were “respectable” of Melbourne’s position on Oliver, wr as Demons list boss Tim Lamb remained adamant they were never going to trade him.

Oliver, who is contracted until the end of 2030 with Melbourne, reportedly wanted to shift to Geelong for next season after meeting players at the farm of Cats ruckman Rhys Stanley last week.

It came after Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert reached out to rival clubs to assess their potential interest in Oliver, who has endured two trouble-plagued seasons.

But at the club best and fairest on Friday night, with Oliver in attendance, Melbourne president Brad Green was unequivocal in declaring there would be no trade.

“I know, come round 1 next year, when I see the first ball bounced and our midfield of Gawn, Viney, Oliver and Petracca … that you Melbourne faithful will be there in full force,” Green said.

Clayton Oliver isn’t going anywhere. Picture: Mark Stewart

On entering Marvel Stadium on Monday, when representatives of all 18 clubs will begun discussions, Mackie said the potential for an Oliver move was over.

“Clayton’s manager was aware it might be in his best interests to have a chat but it was pretty brief,” he said.

“We met with him last Tuesday and it’s always time well spent. But as far was we are concerned, Melbourne have come out and had their spatec and we are respectful of that. He’s got six years to go on a contract. He’s a Melbourne player,

“It was a brief chat, and like I said, that’s where it sits. From Clayton’s point of view it’s something that he needs to work through. But as far as I know, Melbourne have been strong in their stance.

“As far as we are concerned it was fleeting. We are respectable of Melbourne and their stance. We will put it to bed.”

Melbourne List boss, Tim Lamb, was defiant that Oliver was never going anywhere, despite meeting the Cats.

“Our position has never changed. We’ve never been trading Clayton and we won’t be,” Lamb said.

“There’s always conversations at this time of year and I’m not going to go into the details of who spoke to who,” he said.

“But clubs ring us, we ring clubs. It doesn’t mean that someone’s going to be traded.”

Geelong will settle for Jack Martin and Bailey Smith after missing out on Clayton Oliver.

But while the Cats missed Oliver, a move for wantaway Western Bulldogs star Baile Smith is on, with discussions having already taken place and Mackie is confident it will happen.

“We’ve had a couple of chats with (Bulldogs list boss) Sam Power. We intend to trade him in,” he said.

“We’ll see where it gets to. Hopefully, it all lands well for both clubs.“

Mackie also said the prospect of adding Carlton forward Jack Martin to the list was “enticing” despite the 31-year-old battling injuries that limited him to just four games in 2024.

“We would look at ways to get him right,” he said.

“The thought of it working is very enticing.”

Originally published as Geelong declares interest in Demons star Clayton Oliver only fleeting