Clayton Oliver set to stay at Melbourne amid trade speculation

The Demons have made a call on the future of superstar Clayton Oliver amid rampant trade speculation and a whirlwind of rumours.

Clayton Oliver is set to stay at Melbourne, after whirlwind trade speculation over the star midfielder’s future.

SEN’s Tom Morris reported on Friday that despite strong interest from the Adelaide Crows, who felt they had the trade stocks to be able to make something work with Melbourne for Oliver, the four-time best-and-fairest winner will be staying put.

“Adelaide, which was first in the queue for Clayton Oliver & as recently as last night felt a trade was in play, now believes he is staying at Melbourne,” Morris wrote on Twitter.

“Oliver is officially staying.”

Oliver’s future has been at the centre of rampant speculation. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

In a letter to members on Friday, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert confirmed that the club was not seeking a trade for Oliver, nor did Oliver request one.

“I would like to address recent media speculation that the Melbourne Football Club is exploring a trade for Clayton Oliver,” Pert began.

“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that we understand the frustration among members and supporters when our players are discussed in the media as potential trade targets.

“At no stage has the Club entered discussions with any club regarding a trade for Clayton. Furthermore, Clayton has not requested a trade and will remain at the Melbourne Football Club.”

Oliver is arguably the best player on Melbourne’s list. Photo by Michael Klein.

Pert also went on to shine a light on some of the challenges that Oliver had faced over the course of the 2023 season, referring to the 26-year-old’s “personal circumstances”.

“The Club has been aware of and supporting Clayton with his personal circumstances for some time and is committed to continuing to do so,” he said.

“While Club leaders focus on the care and support Clayton needs, we also have a responsibility to uphold our strong Club culture for the benefit of all our players and staff. We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone within the Club is committed to meeting the expected behavioural standards of a player within an AFL high performance environment.

“Clayton understands what is expected of him as a professional athlete, as well as the standards and behaviours a Melbourne person is expected to uphold.

“Finally, I would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our football department leaders. They continuously drive our high-performance culture, while also providing care and support for any individual who may struggle at times in the highly scrutinised and high pressure environment of the AFL.

“We are fortunate to have such a caring and committed group of players, coaches and staff driving the standards and values our Club is built on.

“We now ask for the football industry to respect Clayton’s privacy, whilst the Club and he continue to work through these challenges.”

Petracca hit out at the rumours. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Oliver’s teammate and fellow midfield star Christian Petracca took to the airwaves to rubbish much of the trade period conjecture and delivered a whack to those spreading information.

“Well, there is a lot of commentary around this time of year and I’m not in a position to provide any comment because the club hasn’t,” Petracca said on KISS 101.1‘s Jase and Lauren on Friday.

“But I guess my only comment would be I’d encourage fans and members is don’t trust information that hasn’t come directly from the club.

“The club hasn’t come out and said anything. So any other sources that are saying stuff, I wouldn’t really trust them to be honest. I am just waiting for the club to come out and say something to be honest.”