Clayton Oliver to face court in 2024 after driving without a licence

After a tumultuous 2023, Demon Clayton Oliver will front court in 2024, after being caught by police behind the wheel despite being banned.

Clayton Oliver is in trouble again with the Melbourne superstar to face court next year after being caught driving without a licence.

Oliver had been banned from driving for medical reasons after he was hospitalised in October following a seizure.

But the troubled Demons midfielder ignored doctors orders, continuing to be behind the wheel before he was busted by police.

Melbourne released a statement on Friday confirming Oliver would face court in January.

“Clayton advised the Club immediately following an incident where Victoria Police stopped him for driving while his licence was suspended on medical grounds,” the statement said.

“This was in relation to the time he spent in the hospital following a seizure. As the matter is before the court, the Club won’t be making any further comment at this stage.”

It has been a tumultuous year for Oliver, 26, who battled injury and numerous off-field issues.

He was the subject of major speculation during trade week despite recently signing a new seven-year $7 million deal.

Earlier this week Melbourne CEO Gary Pert said Oliver was “in a great headspace” despite his troubled year.

Oliver is currently recovering from a minor knee procedure but hit the training track earlier than required for Melbourne’s pre-season campaign in a welcome sign.

It’s been a tough year for the star Dee. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“He wants to be part of something really special,” Pert said at Melbourne’s annual members footy forum on Tuesday night.

Oliver suffered the seizure when he was at teammate Joel Smith’s house. Smith is currently provisionally suspended after testing positive to cocaine in a sample taken after the Demons win over Hawthorn in Rd 23.

“There’ve been some quite high-profile player incidents in the off-season,” Pert said.

“I want to reassure all Melbourne members and supporters . . . the culture of the Melbourne FC is very strong and very resilient, and it starts with these guys here (the club’s leadership). It’s a very strong and aligned culture.

“A strong culture is about calling out when individuals aren’t in alignment with the culture, about holding people accountable.

“We will have challenges of people not being in alignment . . . (but) we’ll continue to drive our cultural programs through our leaders.

“I think it is a competitive edge of ours (the culture) and it’s being driven by the best group of leaders I’ve seen.

“All individuals within our high-performance program will continue to get the expert support they need for their personal needs.

“The club is absolutely there to support those individuals.”

Originally published as Clayton Oliver to face court in 2024 after driving without a licence