Melbourne have put speculation over the AFL future of superstar midfielder Clayton Oliver to bed, confirming that he will stay put and now “understands what is expected” of him at the Demons.
Bombshell news emerged on Wednesday that Oliver was open to a trade out of Melbourne despite being tied to the club until 2030 on a lucrative contract.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Melbourne discuss future of AFL superstar Clayton Oliver.
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It set the upcoming trade period alight — before it had even begun — with rival clubs scrambling to come up with a play to lure Oliver away from the Dees.
Essendon and Adelaide had emerged as the frontrunners for his services and Oliver was reportedly not opposed to a move to either club, with the Crows’ candidacy believed to be linked with their fitness boss Darren Burgess.
But the story turned when the speculation began to settle towards being a wake-up call for the 26-year-old Oliver.
Demons fans breathed a sigh of relief after a week of rumours when Melbourne CEO Gary Pert penned a letter to members outlining the situation.
“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that we understand the frustration among members and supporters when our players are discussed in the media as potential trade targets,” Pert wrote.
“At no stage has the club entered discussions with any club regarding a trade for Clayton. Furthermore, Clayton has not requested a trade and will remain at the Melbourne Football Club.”
Pert said the club will continue to support Oliver off the field following a commitment by the midfielder to improve his professionalism.
It emerged this week that Oliver had been taken in by Dees skipper Max Gawn and wife Jess, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.
“While club leaders focus on the care and support Clayton needs, we also have a responsibility to uphold our strong club culture for the benefit of all our players and staff,” Pert wrote.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone within the club is committed to meeting the expected behavioural standards of a player within an AFL high performance environment.
“Clayton understands what is expected of him as a professional athlete, as well as the standards and behaviours a Melbourne person is expected to uphold.
“Finally, I would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our football department leaders. They continuously drive our high-performance culture, while also providing care and support for any individual who may struggle at times in the highly scrutinised and high pressure environment of the AFL.
“We are fortunate to have such a caring and committed group of players, coaches and staff driving the standards and values our club is built on.
“We now ask for the football industry to respect Clayton’s privacy, whilst the club and he continue to work through these challenges.”
Before Pert confirmed the Dees’ position, 7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary revealed that the Melbourne board was involved in a crisis meeting on Wednesday night to discuss whether Oliver’s future was at the club or elsewhere.
On Thursday, word was out that Oliver had been instructed by the club to shape up or pack your bags.
Oliver’s professionalism had been called into question during a troubled 2023 season.
He only managed 15 games for the season, missing 10, and ended up in hospital with a foot infection that was, according to the club, caused by a blister.
He also struggled with a hamstring injury and, in July, had a high-profile blow-up with the club’s head of strength and conditioning Selwyn Griffith.
Oliver recently admitted to 7NEWS that his 2023 season and his injury struggles had been “really frustrating”.
“And I probably didn’t handle it the way I should have,” he confessed.
But Melbourne were also frustrated with Oliver, who had been vocal about his disappointment with the club’s medical staff.
In fact, Oliver also saw an outside physio about his injured knee on which he has since had surgery.
Sources have also told 7NEWS.com.au that Oliver turned up late for an end-of-year meeting and may have missed a team meeting.
Veteran AFL commentator Dwayne Russell said there had been a “disconnect” between Oliver and Melbourne.
“I was actually with Clayton Oliver (on) grand final morning for an hour and had a good chat with him,” Russell said on SEN earlier this week.
“Much of what he told me was obviously private … (but) there is a disconnect there at the moment.
“Melbourne either needs to give Clayton Oliver a massive hug, or they need to trade him — one of the two.
“I just think he needs a giant hug, that’s the way I see it, that’s my reading of it.”
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