Clayton Oliver’s career at the Demons in limbo four time best and fairest premiership player’s attitude comes into question

Melbourne’s four-time best and fairest and three-time All-Australian Clayton Oliver finds his Demons career in limbo over concerns about his attitude and professionalism.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 29: Clayton Oliver of the Demons handballs during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Casey Fields on June 29, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The career of Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver is in limbo as the Demons hold serious talks over his future.

The Demons have become frustrated with elements of his professionalism and attitude and have attracted inquiries from rival clubs about whether they would be prepared to trade him.

Essendon, St Kilda, Adelaide, and possibly, Geelong could emerge as potential suitors as the clubs gather more information.

Melbourne officials have told rival clubs they do not want to part ways with the brilliant midfielder and four-time best and fairest-winner.

But there is a belief the club will be prepared to make the hard call on the 26-year-old if he is unprepared to commit to the on and off field standards the club requires.

Melbourne declined to comment on Oliver’s situation on Wednesday, but rivals have questioned whether there was an incident in Oliver’s exit meeting with the coaches which has fuelled unrest around his future.

It’s also been reported Oliver turned up an hour late to his exit meeting with the Demons in the aftermath of the semi-final loss to Carlton and had to attend a separate meeting with coach Simon Goodwin instead of a group review.

Clayton Oliver with teammate Bayley Fritsch after the Demons’ loss to Collingwood. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The next few days will be crucial as the Demons privately weigh up any interest from rival clubs.

The Demons would demand at least two first-round draft picks in any trade but clubs also face a significant challenge finding $1 million a year to accommodate Oliver’s mega seven-year wage in the salary cap.

His pay packet is believed to soar to $1.3 million a year when it expires in 2030 following a 37 per cent rise in the salary cap in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It represents a huge gamble for Melbourne if it proceeds with talks with rival clubs about Oliver when trade period begins on Monday.

But five years after Melbourne parted with Jesse Hogan the club is yet to rule out making one of the biggest punts in recent trade period history.

There are hopes the furore over his future over the past 24 hours will help spark Oliver into making necessary changes to his professionalism and off-field commitment the club craves.

It is part of a firm stance the club is taking on its list as it strives to capitalise on its premiership window following two failed years.

Melbourne, which Oliver helped lead to a commanding premiership win in 2021, has bowed out of the finals in straight sets over the past two years.

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver in a heated discussion with a Dees trainer mid-season.

And club leaders are vowing to go to every length required to ensure it returns to the top with one of the most talented lists in the competition from next season.

But there is a strong desire to see Oliver lift his standards after struggling with the frustrations of a hamstring injury, and to a lesser extent an infected blister on his foot, which sidelined him for 10 games this season.

Oliver also battled a knee injury late in the season.

The Demons face a backlash from fans if the club followed through with a trade on the sublime ballwinner who is already considered one of the club’s greatest players.

But there is also an opportunity for Melbourne to use the returns for Oliver to snare the No. 1 pick from West Coast and secure outstanding draft prospect Harley Reid.

Melbourne already has picks five, 13 and 24. Two more first-round picks would give it the capital to strike a deal for Reid, who the club has tracked closely this season.

But there are concerns for the midfield without Oliver as the club is also set to lose James Jordon and Brodie Grundy to Sydney Swans, while James Harmes is also on the lookout for a new home.

Gun tall Luke Jackson departed for Fremantle last year.

However Melbourne is unwavering to set a high bar for its playing group as it prepares to enter next season ready to play to its full potential with a star-studded list.

Originally published as Clayton Oliver’s career at the Demons in limbo four time best and fairest premiership player’s attitude comes into question