Demons return to pre-season training but Clayton Oliver remains on extended leave

Melbourne’s pre-season restarts today after the new year break but it will be without star Clayton Oliver who remains on extended leave – with no return date set.

Clayton Oliver after the Demons’ loss to Carlton in the 2023 semi-final. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Troubled Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver will take “extended leave” to deal with complex personal challenges and focus on his wellbeing with no firm time frame on a return to the club or to AFL football.

The Demons returned for their first session of 2024 on Thursday morning minus Oliver, with the club conceding he is still working through a myriad of issues.

That puts the 26-year-old in serious doubt for the club’s ‘Opening Round’ clash with Sydney at the SCG on March 7, and potentially for the early part of the season.

Melbourne general manager of AFL performance Alan Richardson said the club would give Oliver the time and space that he required as well as the resources needed to work on his issues.

Clayton Oliver training pre-Christmas. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He stressed key Demons’ staffers were in constant communication with Oliver.

The four-time best and fairest winner has endured a tumultuous off-season, having been taken to hospital after suffering a seizure in October and making an early departure from the club’s pre-season camp in Lorne in December.

“Clayton has personal issues that he has been dealing with,” Richardson said on Thursday.

“Clayton has been working extremely closely with his personal medical team, and with the support of key club staff, in order to manage these challenges.

“The club fully supports Clayton taking this important time out which will allow him to focus on these challenges.

“Our primary focus is Clayton’s overall wellbeing, and we will continue to support him through this period. It’s important for Clayton that we respect his privacy and his need for time and space.”

Clayton Oliver after the Demons’ loss to Carlton in the 2023 semi-final. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

This year marks the start of Oliver’s much-talked about seven-year contract with the club which runs through until the end of 2030. It is believed to be $1m per season.

Oliver managed only 15 games last season, his lowest return since his 2016 debut year, due to a series of hamstring issues.

There had been speculation early in last year’s trade period that he could be on the move.

The Demons refuted those suggestions, but club chief executive Gary Pert conceded that Oliver had been told he had to meet behavioural standards to remain in the club’s program.

Oliver returned to training earlier than expected late last year, despite being hindered by a postseason knee procedure, which led Pert to suggest in early December that he was “in a great headspace.”

The club said it would continue to work with Oliver as he works on his personal wellbeing.