Melbourne Demons 2024: Clayton Oliver returns to Demons training after time away

After a self-imposed absence, Demons star Clayton Oliver has returned to Melbourne training, joining teammates in a bid to play in the opening round of the season.

Clayton Oliver was energetic and ran strongly but worked away from the main group on his return to Melbourne training on Wednesday.

Oliver was one of the first Demons on track, just after 9am, with a rehab group that included Ben Brown, Harrison Petty and Tom Fullarton.

It was the star onballer’s first session with teammates since he left the club’s pre-season camp in Lorne on December 18, with Oliver taking a break from the club during that period as he dealt with personal issues.

He began reintegrating into the main group on Tuesday.

He joined skipper Max Gawn in the middle for some centre bounce run throughs, showing off the iconic partnership he has formed with the champion Demons ruckman.

Oliver then worked extensively with new assistant coach Andrew McQualter on kicking and tackling as the main group began warm ups.

Clayton Oliver at Melbourne pre-season training. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

He pushed through an extensive running session, largely alongside Christian Salem, who is recovering from a minor hamstring tweak.

The three-time All-Australian looked fit and has regularly run with others during his time apart from the club and completed a running session at Gosch’s Paddock on Monday as Melbourne’s main group trained at Casey.

On Wednesday, he was happy to engage with Melbourne fans watching on and stopped for a number of photos on his way off the track.

Clayton Oliver and Matthew Jefferson at Melbourne pre-season training. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Having started in the club’s rehab group, there is no concrete timeline for Oliver to join main training as the Demons assess where his body is at.

“He won’t be in everything, his will still be a week where he will integrate back into what our training looks like,” Demons football boss Alan Richardson told the club’s website.

“We will have to make sure we bring him up to speed from an education point of view with any adjustments we have made to our gameplan.”

NIGGLE WOBBLE

Key Demons Steven May and Jack Viney both hobbled out of match sim on Wednesday, while Lachie Hunter is now in doubt to play in opening round.

Hunter was on very light duties as he works through his calf problem and Richardson said the injury had “struggled to cope” with an extra load in the legs in the last fortnight.

“He’s still got a bit of time to make sure he gets there by round zero … he will need a bit of luck now,” Richardson said.

With Salem, Hunter and Petty (foot) among those watching on during match sim, May and Viney both left the main group with niggles.

May was brought down in a tackle while kicking and spoke extensively with fitness staff while pointing to and stretching his groin and attempted to go back into training before pulling out again.

He then pushed through several 150m runs at decent speed, with the club describing his issue as “soreness”.

Steven May hobbled off the track. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Jack Viney suffered a corkie. Photo by Michael Klein.

Viney also left training after a collision in which he ripped his shorts and came up limping with a cork.

The vice-captain hobbled through some running before heading into the club rooms.

Neither injury is seen as serious at this stage.

A number of Demons were on light duties before training started, including Brown (knee), Fullarton (hamstring) and Jake Melksham (knee).

Melksham did some light kicking on either foot and Richardson said he was “ahead of schedule” in his ACL recovery.

“He is at a stage now where he is not too far off doing a bit of ball work,” Richardson said.

BIG ROO FIRES

Jacob van Rooyen starred at one end, while Bayley Fritsch was up to his old tricks at the other during match sim.

A one-handed grab and a speccie from van Rooyen were two highlights, while Fritsch outpointed Tom McDonald on multiple occasions when the pair were matched up.

McDonald lined up with Jake Lever and Adam Tomlinson down back but the Demons were not split into ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams.

Angus Brayshaw shone off half-back and was in full contact, showing he is fully recovered from any concussion concerns.

No. 7 pick Caleb Windsor won plenty of plaudits for a chase down tackle and looked composed with ball in hand.

Originally published as Melbourne Demons 2024: Clayton Oliver returns to Demons training after time away