AFL Trade 2023: The latest on Clayton Oliver’s future in wake of Melbourne crisis meetings

The wild Clayton Oliver trade speculation is in overdrive – but Melbourne meetings in the past 48 hours have detailed the positions of the club and Oliver and his management.

Clayton Oliver has told Melbourne he wants to stay and Melbourne is open to Oliver staying as a potential trade out de-escalates.

Crisis meetings in the past 48 hours, which included an update to the board at a meeting on Wednesday night, have detailed the positions of the club and Oliver and his management.

Those meetings included coach Simon Goodwin, chief executive Gary Pert and general manager of football performance Alan Richardson.

The club wants the four-time best-and-fairest winner to remain, but wants a commitment from Oliver to improve his professionalism and to continue to address some significant mental health concerns.

The professionalism component reared its head this season after a series of personal and injury issues confronted the 26-year-old.

The mental health issues have been ongoing and the club has worked tirelessly to help Oliver in recent seasons.

In turn, Oliver has indicated he is prepared to address and where he can improve in those areas.

Clayton Oliver wants to stay Melbourne. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Oliver arrived late for his exit meeting with Goodwin in the post-season in a condition that concerned Goodwin.

The club has put its arm around Oliver many times and wants Oliver to understand that the best relationships work both ways.

He is a much-loved figure, but the Demons in a sense have put their foot down, and told him he has to meet the expectations or look elsewhere.

It’s a powerful stance from the club as it sets about addressing a season which bombed out with successive losses in September.

However, talks of trade have diminished in the past 24 hours.

The bombshell revelations that clubs believe Oliver is gettable still remains, although the willingness of both parties to work towards a solution is encouraging.

Rival clubs have become more aware in recent days of Oliver challenges and are becoming less confident a trade will occur.

Oliver with teammate Bayley Fritsch after the qualifying final loss. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

What started out as a potential blockbuster two-first round trade has subsided with Oliver’s value seemingly dropping.

His manager Nick Gieschen has been crucial in being a calming influence for both parties over the past 48 hours.

Oliver’s teammates are also playing a significant role.

Oliver moved in with skipper Max Gawn and his pregnant wife Jess in the post-season.

In essence, the club will need to take a leap of faith with their gun on-baller.

Oliver can say all he wants about meeting standards but only time will tell if a commitment from him will bear fruit.

It’s not known if an announcement on Oliver will be made at the best and fairest on Friday night, but the club hopes it has more clarity by the end of the weekend.