By Jon Pierik and Hannah Kennelly
Clayton Oliver has returned early for the summer slog as the Melbourne star looks to make amends for what he described as “a stinker” of a season.
Oliver, 27, joined several senior teammates including vice captain Jack Viney and utility Harrison Petty and first-to-fourth-year players at training at Gosch’s Paddock on Friday, with a club spokeswoman confirming he had completed the two-hour session comprising running, drills and ball work. Oliver finished the session with his own specialised running drills.
Clayton Oliver at Melbourne training on Friday.Credit: David McPherson, Melbourne Football Club
The midfield bull was in excellent touch and condition, and appears to be motivated to rebound after a turbulent 2024 when he had a post-season meeting with Geelong officials and players, and sought a trade to the Cats.
The four-time best and fairest, who finished outside the top 10 in last season’s Keith “Bluey” Truscott Medal count despite playing in 21 games and averaging 23 disposals per game, declared last month he was over the fitness issues that interrupted and disrupted his season.
“I’m alright, got my hand fixed up, metal plate taken out, my knee’s all good, I had a couple of broken ribs, they’re all fixed up,” Oliver said.
“I had a stinker [of a year] but that’s all right, it happens.”
Oliver, like his senior teammates, was not due to resume official training until November 25, but opted to return early, as the Demons seek to return to finals contention. Tom Sparrow and Trent Rivers returned to training on Wednesday.
Demons skipper Max Gawn (overseas) and fellow star Christian Petracca – completing his own training after an emotionally charged 2024 – are due back when the Demons head to the Victorian country town of Bright for a pre-season camp in the last week of this month.
AFL integrity unit still investigating Hawks, Lions melee
Hannah Kennelly
It was the most eye-catching moment from the first weekend of AFLW finals.
The final siren sounded on Hawthorn’s six-point qualifying final loss to the Brisbane Lions – but that was when tempers flared.
Jasmine Fleming takes a tackle.Credit: Getty Images
Vision appeared to show an exchange of words between players, with Hawthorn’s Tilly Lucas-Rodd in the middle of a push-and-shove as umpires intervened. Lions pair Dakota Davidson and Charlotte Mullins separated Lucas-Rodd from the melee, while players on both sides continued to shove each other.
A Brisbane spokesperson confirmed the AFL integrity unit was investigating a number of incidents following the heated conclusion to the match.
But the Hawks have been tight-lipped over what actually happened, including vice-captain Eliza West, who spoke on Thursday, and young star Jasmine Fleming.
Fleming was not involved in the melee. She was stuck on the bench nursing a calf cramp, but confirmed the club and AFL were “taking care” of the incident.
“I think [we’ll] probably put it behind us,” Fleming said. “I think it was a very hot contest of footy, I think everyone could see that, but it was such a good contest of footy. So if we do come up against them again, I just can’t wait because I know it’s going to be a great brand of footy from both teams.”
Hawthorn vice-captain Eliza West said the team was focused on the game ahead. Credit: Getty Images
West was asked about the incident on Thursday, but remained tight-lipped, noting the team was focused on the game ahead.
“Obviously something did happen after the game, we could all see that, but nothing I can comment on,” she said.
“The higher-ups will obviously deal with that. At the moment, as a playing group, we’re just focusing on the game ahead.”
Fleming sees emerging rivalries as a promising aspect of AFLW’s development.
“Oh 100 per cent,” she said. “You see it in the men, and it just adds that extra bit of flair, and I think that’s awesome. I think every team is trying to embrace it in AFLW, so I’m 100 per cent behind rivalries.”
Jasmine and her father Damien Fleming during Hawthorn’s first 2024 training session. Credit: Simon Schluter
Fleming was drafted in 2022, notching an impressive debut season with Hawthorn. In 2023, the midfielder was nominated for the Rising Star award and finished third in the club’s best and fairest.
But her path to senior football was unusual. Fleming, the daughter of former Australian cricketer Damien Fleming, had to choose between two dreams before she was drafted – two potential careers and two sports.
Then a teenager, Fleming was halfway through year 12 and had represented Box Hill in the Victorian Premier Cricket League.
“I think I’ve always loved footy that little bit more, so when the prospect of playing W become more of a reality ... that was really important for me,” she said.
“If I’m being honest, Dad was probably the one that pushed me towards it [footy]. He’s very realistic and the prospect of being drafted for AFLW, you know straight away if you’ve made it or not ... He also loves footy and loves Hawthorn, so we’ve got a good bond.”
The now 20-year-old will play her first semi-final against Port Adelaide at Ikon Park on Saturday.
Hawthorn have had a stellar year, claiming a top-two finish after 10 wins in the home-and-away season and clinching the coveted McClelland Trophy – a million-dollar prize for the best-performing team across the men’s and women’s competitions.
However, Port are fresh off seven consecutive victories, triumphing over Richmond last week to notch their first AFLW finals win.
The league’s fixture means Saturday will be the first time the two teams have played each other in 2024 – a prospect that excites Fleming.
“I actually really like the unknown,” she said. “I watch a lot of footy, you watch teams like North and Brissie every week, so you kind of feel like you’ve played against them a bit.”
Fleming’s parents and 13-year-old sister Issy watch all of Hawthorn’s games, decked out in the club’s yellow and brown merch.
“My little sister is probably one of the team’s biggest fans which is awesome ... she gets to have great role models,” Fleming said.
The AFLW might still be in its infancy, but Fleming has noticed an increase in player development, professionalism and physicality over the last three years.
“To play my first final here, in front of 5000 fans, you could hear it, it was so loud,” she said of Ikon Park, where the team was training. “I think that’s so exciting and that’s where you want to be.”
Adelaide will face Fremantle in a semi-final clash at Norwood Oval on Saturday afternoon at 3.35pm AEDT.
Hawthorn will play Port Adelaide at Ikon Park on Saturday at 7.30pm AEDT.
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