‘Worst contract ever’: Dees slammed as star seeks impossible move

Melbourne officials have come under heavy fire after a star midfielder met with a rival club as he seeks a reported exit from the club.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: A dejected Clayton Oliver of the Demons is seen the round 21 AFL match between Footscray Football Club and Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium, on August 02, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Melbourne’s list management has been slammed for their long-term signing of Clayton Oliver, who reportedly wants to be traded to Geelong.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio on Thursday morning, former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes let loose on the Demons’ decision to sign Oliver until the end of 2030 last year, as the midfielder flirts with joining a second club.

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“We need to put Melbourne’s list management team in the gun for what is the worst contract we have ever seen,” Cornes exclaimed.

Despite a mountain of speculation around Oliver’s contract situation last off-season, the Demons showed faith in the three-time All-Australian; offering him an extension that locked him into the club until the end of 2030.

"We need to put Melbourne's list management team in the gun for what is the worst contract we have ever seen. There is $10 million left on this deal for 6-years. He has lasted one year of the 7-year deal."

- @kanecornes on the Clayton Oliver deal

— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 2, 2024

If fulfilled, he will have been at the Demons for 15 years.

However, after meeting with club officials and players on Tuesday, star Melbourne midfielder Oliver reportedly wants to be traded to Geelong.

And according to Nine journalist Sam McClure on Wednesday night, the 27-year-old left a meeting with Rhys Stanley and Tom Stewart with a desire to move down the highway.

“Clayton Oliver wants to be traded to Geelong,” McClure declared on 3AW airwaves on Wednesday.

“He left the Cattery — and when I say ‘the Cattery’ I mean Rhys Stanley’s farm — yesterday after a meeting with the premiership ruckman and Geelong’s vice-captain Tom Stewart wanting to be part of Geelong’s next premiership midfield.

“He knows how difficult and complicated a trade could be — particularly because he’s on an average of $1.3 million until the end of 2030 — but he wants to go to Geelong.

“The question is: will Melbourne let him? ... Or will they, like they did with Christian Petracca, force him and hold him to his contract?”

"There was an issue with Clayton at the Brownlow Medal which upset some teammates. There has been some medical appointments he hasn't fulfilled. Simon Goodwin and the football Dept are backing him in, they want him at the club."

- Sam Edmund with a little more information on…

— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 2, 2024

As also broken by McClure on Tuesday, the four-time club best and fairest winner initially met with Cats CEO Steve Hocking and football boss Andrew Mackie following Demons CEO Gary Pert in recent weeks making contact “with a number of teams” around whether they had any interest in acquiring Oliver.

The star midfielder, contracted for six more seasons, dealt with knee and rib injuries during the season as he struggled to regain his form of years past.

Geelong currently holds Pick 15 at this year’s national draft, but that is widely expected to be used in a trade for wantaway Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith, leaving future capital to dip into.

Delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin also indicated his intention to become a Geelong player earlier on Wednesday.

The 2024 trade period commences on Monday, October 7.

Originally published as ‘Worst contract ever’: Dees slammed as star seeks impossible move