Melbourne Demons ‘open’ to bombshell Clayton Oliver trade

Melbourne have responded after a superstar player was thrust into the centre of trade rumours as the AFL’s silly season heats up.

Melbourne star midfielder Clayton Oliver could find himself on the move this trade period.

Bombshell rumours surrounding the star were floated on Tuesday afternoon when Riley Beveridge and Cal Twomey reported on Trade Radio a number of clubs were circling for his services.

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“One to watch over the next couple of weeks, clubs are weighing up now whether to make a move for Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver in this year’s trade period,” Beveridge said.

“Obviously he’s had a very challenging year, he’s only played 15 games, missed 10 games through the middle of the campaign with a hamstring injury, but also that blister on his foot which became infected.”

While it was noted there had been no external indications of interest in Oliver, the plot thickened on Tuesday night.

SEN’s Tom Morris poured fuel on the fire with a report noting the club is “open” to moving on their star midfielder.

Morris reported the Demons are said to want the right price in exchange for the star midfielder.

The report also stressed that the Demons are not shopping Oliver yet but just “making it clear” to rival teams that they are open to the possibility.

Trade rumours abound over Oliver’s future despite scarce details. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

According to Morris, a potential Oliver trade would help the Demons in a bid to stockpile a “suite of draft picks” as they look to possibly move up the draft to the first overall spot.

“Melbourne is open to trading star midfielder Clayton Oliver,” Morris reported on SEN.

“Rival clubs believe Melbourne is trying to acquire a suite of draft picks – which would be aided by Oliver’s departure – to satisfy West Coast for Pick 1 at best, and Gold Coast for Pick 4 at worst.

“They’ve long been keen on likely No.1 pick Harley Reid.”

Any potential deal would also hinge on Oliver agreeing to be moved on in the first place.

Morris indicated Oliver became increasingly “frustrated” with the club’s medical staff during his layoff with a hamstring injury.

According to the report, Oliver told friends that the club should have handled it better.

The report though also claimed senior teammates “have become increasingly more frustrated and concerned in equal measure with his welfare” in the wake of the three-month injury layoff.

“To the point where Oliver moving away from his Camberwell house and in with captain Max Gawn has been seriously canvassed as a temporary option,” wrote Morris.

“There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, only that Gawn would support Oliver through a difficult period.”

Clarry could be on the move. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

While Oliver struggled in 2023, he remains one of the best players in the league, particularly around clearances, leading the competition in 2022.

He is a three-time All-Australian, four-time best and fairest and two-time AFLCA Champion Player of the Year, all having come at the core of a hugely talented Melbourne midfield.

With the Dees having been punted from finals in straight sets for a second straight year, a desire to go a step further and add to his 2021 Premiership would be the only feasible impetus for Oliver to seek greener pastures.

With little to no indications that the red-headed superstar is going anywhere, including any from his own camp, Oliver looks set to stay at Casey Fields for the foreseeable future.

It comes after fellow premiership midfielder James Jordon nominated Sydney as his new home, with the unrestricted free agent out of contract at the end of the 2023 season.

Originally published as Melbourne Demons ‘open’ to bombshell Clayton Oliver trade