‘Keeping close tabs’: AFL club ‘very keen’ on poaching Clayton Oliver

A Victorian AFL powerhouse is reportedly preparing a surprise pursuit of maligned Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver.

Clayton Oliver has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons all off-season. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos

A Victorian rival is reportedly preparing a surprise pursuit of maligned Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver.

Oliver’s recent off-field indiscretions have been well-documented, but the 26-year-old trained himself into game-shape and was picked in Simon Goodwin’s Opening Round side that played Sydney last Thursday.

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But, while he’s still locked into the seven-year mega contract he signed in June 2022, Geelong is thought to be in the market for Oliver.

It follows an off-season where Oliver almost departed the Demons during last year’s trade period, with the Adelaide Crows and the Cats previously expressing their desire to snare the prolific onballer.

On the debut edition of Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark revealed the Cats’ renewed intrigue in Oliver.

“We can tell you tonight that Geelong is keeping very close tabs on Clayton Oliver,” Clark told Fox Footy on Tuesday evening.

“We know the Cats have a midfield, (Patrick) Dangerfield, 34, (Cam) Guthrie injured, a few youngsters — (Max) Holmes, (Tanner) Bruhn still developing.”

Oliver had 30 disposals against Sydney last Thursday. Photo: Matt King.

Geelong has also been linked to off-contract Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith, who will spend this year away from the game after rupturing his ACL in the pre-season.

“They’re crying out, the Cats, for their next midfield star. We know a little bit about (the) Bailey Smith (interest). You can add Clayton Oliver to the Cats’ watch list, they are very keen (for) his services, should he become available.”

Fellow Herald Sun journalist Sam Landsberger, taken aback by the revelation, asked Clark if the Cats could target both Oliver and Smith this upcoming trade period.

“All summer, I thought Bailey Smith would be their top target,” Landsberger said. “(He’s got the) Cotton On sponsorship, they share that with the Cats. Are you telling me that they (prefer) Clayton Oliver over ‘Baz’? Or could they get both? This is big.”

‘Baz’ has also been linked to the Cattery — but he won’t play this season. Photo: Morgan Hancock.

Clark responded, saying while it’s too early to know Geelong’s preference that the club already has numerous potential midfield targets.

“It’s a good question. I don’t think they’ve got preferences because it’s so early. We’re not even into Round 1 yet,” said Clark.

“(Cats recruiting boss) Andrew Mackie and his crew will have a list of 30 midfield targets that they (covet). They need a new tip of the spear.

“It’s an ageing and disjointed group. They need someone in there to help take them back to finals. We know the Cats don’t muck around with their recruiting — Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield — they go bang.

“So, this could be the bombshell move (because) Bailey Smith we’ve known about.”

Added Fox Footy and Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph: “I just love the ambition of Geelong. I love the fact that they will never go quietly into the night — the premiership window is never shut.”

The Cats play the Saints in their season-opener this Saturday night, while Oliver and the Demons will be looking to right their ship against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Originally published as ‘Keeping close tabs’: AFL club ‘very keen’ on poaching Clayton Oliver