Melbourne midfield star Clayton Oliver not certain to return against Geelong

A Melbourne star is no certainty to return against battling reigning premiers Geelong on Thursday night.

Coach Simon Goodwin is leaving no stone unturned ahead of the Demons’ clash Geelong. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Melbourne midfield star Clayton Oliver could be ruled in or out of Thursday’s blockbuster clash with Geelong as soon as Tuesday but is no certainty to return from injury.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin revealed the no-risk approach as he confirmed his team would travel to Geelong on Wednesday and train on the Cats’ home ground the day before the match for the first time, treating it “just like any other away game” in the hope of enhancing their preparation.

Oliver spent five days in hospital with an infected blister after recovering from a hamstring injury but while Goodwin was “hopeful” for a return against the Cats, he wasn’t prepared to lock it on Monday morning.

Melbourne was set to train on Monday after players had a four-day break across their bye weekend and Goodwin was not ready to declare whether either Oliver or Harrison Petty, who is coming off a foot injury, would play the Cats.

“We’ll know a bit more today where Clayton’s at, both physically and whether he’s ready to perform at the level,” Goodwin said on Monday morning.

“He’s progressing well, we’re hopeful. Both he and Harrison Petty are in the same position.

Clayton Oliver trains after the Demons’ round 13 win against Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein.

“We’re hopeful but not certain. We need to make sure they train and pull up well. We’re not declaring them at this point.”

Goodwin said the five-day stint in hospital for Oliver, who was put through a rigorous training session on the MCG after his team’s King’s Birthday win over Collingwood, had impacted the on-baller.

“Spending five days in hospital isn’t ideal,” he said.

“It is about performance, making sure they are ready to perform and we won’t take any risks with any players.”

Melbourne is going the extra mile to prepare for the Cats, changing the dimensions of their oval at Casey Fields to match GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.

Following that the squad will travel to Geelong on Wednesday and stay overnight to put themselves in the best position for success.

The Demons have lost four of the past five clashes with the Cats in Geelong.

“We‘re moving our program down there (to Geelong) on Wednesday and treat it like a game away from home, spend the night in a hotel and train down there and prepare ourselves as best we can,” Goodwin said.

“We‘ve played down there a lot in the last four or five years; we’ve had some success, but we’ve also had some pretty average performances

“We want to get used to the environment, want to set it up and prepare as best we can and this is one of those ways that we can do it.

“We’re going to leave no stone unturned.”

Melbourne are third on the AFL ladder while Geelong are in 10th, with just one win in their past five games.

Originally published as Melbourne midfield star Clayton Oliver not certain to return against Geelong