Melbourne assistant coach denies angst between Clayton Oliver and the club

With speculation intensifying around Clayton Oliver’s future at Melbourne, one of the club’s coaches has revealed how much truth is involved.

Melbourne midfield star Clayton Oliver is “hungry to improve” and reports of discontent over a changing role that could prompt an exit are “just not true”, according to midfield coach Andrew McQualter, with the impending return of captain Max Gawn set to help both Oliver and the team’s cause.

Gawn, who has missed the past two games with a slight fracture in his ankle, got through training on Wednesday, while Oliver, who has come under scrutiny after a downturn in form, was late on the track and looked proppy at stages.

Oliver, in the first year of a seven-year $7m contract, has failed to produce his All-Australian best in 2024 having endured a limited pre-season that included club-imposed breaks as he continued to deal with off-field issues.

He has played all of Melbourne’s 18 games but has been less than prolific, picking up just 18 disposals in last week’s thrashing by Fremantle, unable to fill the gap left by injured teammate Christian Petracca, having also started on the bench in recent times.

Clayton Oliver has been below his best this season. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

His poor form has sparked speculation that he could be on the move despite his whopping contract.

McQualter, who filled in for ill coach Simon Goodwin at Wednesday’s press conference, conceded Oliver was not at his best but was frank when the reports of him being upset with his standing were raised.

“It’s just not true,” he said.

“Clayton’s really determined to play great footy for us, be a great teammate. Look at him, every time he comes to training and the kid’s hungry to improve. He probably hasn’t played as well as he has in previous years but he’s still doing a role for us.

“And I think what he mentioned a couple of weeks ago, teams are still tagging him, so there’s a lot of stuff he’s doing right and he’s determined to improve.”

Melbourne remains half a game outside the top eight ahead of Saturday’s MCG showdown with fifth-placed GWS, with victory crucial for both teams as they vie for a finals spot.

Doing the work. 👊#DemonSpiritpic.twitter.com/kYRoSneDSz

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) July 24, 2024

Pressure is on the Demons after last weekend’s shellacking in Perth, but McQualter said there was a clear way for the coaching staff to address the situation.

“It’s not about putting the heat on them,” he said.

“It’s about finding solutions to get better. We clearly didn’t get it done, myself included.

“But we’ve had a strong review yesterday and we’ve got some plans to make it better.”

Melbourne faces fellow finals aspirants the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide in the following two games that could decide their fate.

Originally published as Melbourne assistant coach denies angst between Clayton Oliver and the club