AFL 2024: Clayton Oliver to play in Melbourne’s VFL practice game

Carlton has made a call on a returning defender while Melbourne has flagged the next step for Clayton Oliver in his comeback.

Melbourne star Clayton Oliver will play in a VFL practice game on Thursday as he works towards a once unlikely Opening Round comeback. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Melbourne star Clayton Oliver will again play at VFL level as he works towards an Opening Round return in a match which will also feature Zac Williams after Carlton chose not to bring the defender back to football via the top level.

Christian Salem will return to the Demons’ senior side to take on Carlton at Ikon Park on Wednesday night, while the Blues give several young players a chance to earn a spot in their blockbuster season opener against Brisbane.

Oliver will join Demons recruits Tom Fullarton and Marty Hore in the VFL match on Thursday morning, which was brought to earlier in the day and closed to the public due to the extreme heat.

He will face a strong Blues VFL side including Williams in his first competitive hitout for almost 18 months, along with experienced midfielder Matt Kennedy and eye-catching first-year forward Ashton Moir, who impressed in the senior side against Geelong last week.

Carlton defender Zac Williams will make his long awaited return from an ACL injury, but via the Blues’ VFL side in a practice match on Thursday morning against Melbourne.

Moir may have been squeezed out by the return of Blues ruckman Marc Pittonet, who was named to play after missing the Cats clash, as youngsters Jaxon Binns and Billy Wilson were named on an extended bench.

Melbourne remains without Harrison Petty (toe) and Lachie Hunter (calf), while Shane McAdam will also miss the clash with his own calf complaint.

First-year trio Caleb Windsor, Koltyn Tholstrup and Kynan Brown all received the nod to remain in the senior side after strong performances against Richmond at Casey Fields last week.

Blake Howes was named in defence, while second-year forward Matthew Jefferson was named on an extended bench including other key position options in Tom McDonald and Josh Schache.

Carlton v Melbourne teams, Wednesday 6.40pm Ikon Park

CARLTON

B Jordan Boyd, Lewis Young, Adam Saad

HB Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman

C Matt Cottrell, Patrick Cripps, Ollie Hollands

HF David Cuningham, Charlie Curnow, Blake Acres

F Orazio Fantasia, Harry McKay, Jesse Motlop

FOL Marc Pittonet, Sam Docherty, Adam Cerra

I/C Jaxon Binns, Alex Cincotta, Tom De Koning, Lachie Fogarty, George Hewett, Elijah Hollands, Billy Wilson

MELBOURNE

B Adam Tomlinson, Steven May, Christian Salem

HB Blake Howes, Jake Lever, Trent Rivers

C Ed Langdon, Jack Viney, Alex Neal-Bullen

HF Christian Petracca, Bayley Fritsch, Bailey Laurie

F Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob van Rooyen, Kade Chandler

FOL Mac Gawn, Jack Billings, Tom Sparrow

I/C Judd McVee, Caleb Windsor, Jake Bowey, Josh Schache, Kynan Brown, Koltyn Tholstrup, Matthew Jefferson, Tom McDonald

Originally published as AFL 2024: Clayton Oliver to play in Melbourne’s VFL practice game