Clayton Oliver can be Melbourne’s version of Dustin Martin, writes David King
DEMON Clayton Oliver is the AFL’s best player when the ball is on the ground. But DAVID KING believes the young gun can be of far greater value — and Simon Goodwin needs to look at the Tigers to see how.
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PLEASE Sir, I want more ….
A change to Clayton Oliver’s role entering the last two months of the season could become Simon Goodwin and Melbourne’s premiership trump card.
‘Goody’, it’s time to send Oliver to the goalsquare for large periods and watch him thrive.
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Oliver is Dustin Martin-esque. I believe he could be Melbourne’s most dangerous forward.
Not as a permanent target, but a high impact, moment maker who can separate close games. Big games like preliminary finals.
Last year’s Grand Final was won by 48 points, but the most critical moment that harnessed the Tigers’ belief was just before half time when Dusty goaled, taking the margin from four points to 10. It was about the margin. It was about the man.
Clayton Oliver is Melbourne’s man, if the coaching crew gives him the scope to use all his weaponry. Oliver’s capabilities inside the attacking 50m have remained largely untapped, but given the brutal clearance and contested possession performances of Jack Viney since his return, it may be time to maximise Oliver.
Oliver has averaged 30 disposals in the past 40-odd games but has only kicked 12 goals.
Acquiring numbers has never been an issue but transforming volume into damage is the next chapter.
Against Fremantle last weekend Clayton spent only 17 per cent of the game in the forward line, obtaining nine disposals inside the 50m arc. A staggering number that included six contested possessions and two goals.
This time spent forward percentage must be close to 30-35 per cent — it’s less time on the bench and stay deep like Dustin does as it’s just impossible to stop Clayton winning the football.
Oliver is the AFL’s best player across the past 18 months when the ball is on the ground, winning almost 20 per cent more possessions than seasoned stars such as Patrick Dangerfield, Trent Cotchin, Josh Kennedy and like. Close-to-goal crumbing types are priceless.
The Demons are achieving far more inside 50m entries than any other team, averaging more than 60 opportunities a game, which makes them the AFL’s second-best attack.
Melbourne has much scope for improvement by locking the game inside their forward 50 and denying the opposition any counter-attack opportunity.
What we haven’t witnessed yet, and I stress yet, is Oliver’s contested marking.
Stay tuned. If Goodwin is the innovator we all believe then maybe he should re-watch the past four games of Oliver’s under-18 campaign where he significantly increased his contested marking and goal scoring.
It’s a strength area that often translates from TAC Cup to AFL level.
Why not use Melbourne’s most prolific tackler where he can make the most impact — close to goal? The Demons will fall for other teasing types who can tackle — Jeff Garlett or Thomas Bugg — instead of the rock-solid Oliver option. It’s a head scratcher.
Forward-half pressure is elite, but if this is their one wood then enhancing this facet would only be assisted in the event of an Oliver role change.
The Demons midfield lacks outside speed as the phonebox brutality of Jack Viney, Oliver, Angus Brayshaw and Nathan Jones remains the preferred option.
Melbourne averages 19 more contested possessions than their opponents on a weekly basis — they’re seriously tough.
Do the Demons really need Oliver playing 90 per cent in the midfield to maintain this advantage? I don’t think so, but Goodwin should explore this option regardless.
Cotchin and Martin rotated midfield-forward for the best part of two seasons when the
Tigers surged back up the table in 2013-2014.
Viney and Oliver could mimic that model with great effect. A method that could just evoke that goalscoring moment at the pointy end of the season.
Oliver hasn’t been targeted with an inside forward 50 entry for the past six weeks — this must change.
There are some players that give teams an energy when they impact and given the healthy football arrogance Clayton carries, he just could be everything the Melbourne forward 50 is craving.
It’s time for Dusty Mark II. It’s time for the goal square to become the Red’s Square.
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