Melbourne president Brad Green says Clayton Oliver will be playing for the club in 2025
Clayton Oliver has been told he will be playing for Melbourne next year as the Demons’ interim president issued a rally cry to the embattled club at its best-and-fairest event.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne won’t be trading Clayton Oliver with acting president Brad Green declaring the disenchanted midfielder would be in the centre square for the Demons season opener next year.
Oliver was in attendance at the Demons best and fairest count but refused to comment as he entered Centrepiece in Melbourne Park.
Earlier in the week he met Geelong about a possible trade but Green made it clear to the club’s faithful that Oliver would be wearing red and blue next year.
JAY CLARK: HOW DID OLIVER, DEES GET TO THIS POINT?
The crowd erupted with applause after Green said: “I know come Round 1 next year when I see the first ball bounced and our midfield of Gawn, Viney, Oliver and Petracca, and our first clearance, that you Melbourne faithful will be there in full force.”
Christian Petracca, who also briefly asked for a trade after falling out with the club over the management of his serious injury in the Queen’s Birthday match, wasn’t in attendance, instead in Europe at a Red Bull training camp.
After a series of meetings over the past 24 hours, the Melbourne board is understood to have stepped in and put an end to any potential trading of Oliver who has six years remaining on a multimillion-dollar contract.
CEO Gary Pert had raised the possibility of an Oliver trade — he did the same thing last year — with rival clubs but after a turbulent week the decision was made to again try and mend bridges with the troubled superstar.
Green, a former best and fairest winner who replaced Kate Roffey as president last month, went on to call for stability and unity after a horror season.
“On and off the field we haven’t achieved the results we wanted,” Green said. “I know everyone who loves this club wants answers.
“We have two important reviews underway and they are both focused on making us better, they will be thorough, they will leave no stone unturned and they will set the path for the future.
“As a player I lived through some incredibly tough times, as a board member I have been through the best but right now we’re not in the best position but we’re certainly not in the worst either.
“This is a strong club with great players, great people and we are within touching distance of being back to our best.
“We will realign ourselves and together we will take this club back to where it belongs.”
Retiring premiership hero Angus Brayshaw, who received life membership on Friday night, made an emotional speech where he urged his former teammates to stick together.
“You are an incredible group,” Brayshaw said. “I personally know how quickly things can turn around.
“I hope you stick fat, stick together and (Brad) Greeny spoke about unity and that is spot on, anything is possible.
“I really hope you guys appreciate the fact that you get to live out my dream.”
Brayshaw, who was forced into retirement because of issues with concussion, said while his future remained “unclear” he had a clear vision for what Melbourne was capable of in 2025.
“I truly believe that despite what has happened this year, we have so much to be excited about, we have some of the best players in the entire game, (Max) Gawny, Trac, (Petracca) Clarry (Oliver), (Steven) Mayesy and I could go on,” he said.
“My outlook for this group is so positive, when I look back to 2018 and 2019 (17th), from 2018 (fourth) to 2021 things can change so quickly. .
“I am so positive and optimistic but also sad that I won’t be out there to help although I will enjoy sitting back in the stands, watching and appreciating the journey and watching my mates.
“When I close my eyes, and I do sometimes, I can picture vividly the MCG on a Friday night packed with Melbourne players and Melbourne fans and us playing and winning big games.
“That is a thought that puts a smile on my face.”
Heart wrenching update on AFL flag winner
Aaron Shattock’s family has released an update after the premiership winner’s freak accident just before Christmas.
Richmond great weighs in on Tigers’ bold off-season moves
There was a mass exodus of stars at Richmond within just two months of Neil Balme leaving the club. The former Tigers administrator has his say on the trade and draft strategy.