Star midfielder Clayton Oliver is a surprise addition to the AFL trade discourse, with the 26-year-old involved in a complicated standoff with Melbourne.
A report from AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge in early October suggested that clubs' list managers were 'weighing up' a move for the contracted star.
Oliver has seven years left on a contract worth $1 million a year. But, an injury and controversy-plagued 2023 could see him shift to greener pastures.
The Sporting News has all the Clayton Oliver trade news updates.
MORE: AFL trade news and rumours latest
Clayton Oliver's agent reveals Melbourne talks, star's future - October 7
While an Oliver move isn't going to eventuate, the discussions between Melbourne and the star have been very real.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, Oliver's agent Nick Gieschen revealed the 'confronting' nature of the player's talks with coaches Simon Goodwin and Alan Richardson on Thursday night.
"It’s been confronting, but out of all of this it’s an opportunity to grow. Off the back of a lot of the hard, honest, robust conversations it’s given him a chance to get some stuff off his chest and some time to heal," he said.
In its statement on Friday, Melbourne suggested that Oliver had agreed to lift his behavioural and professional standards at the club.
Though talks have since finished, Gieschen shared that multiple clubs had reached out to and showed 'genuine' interest in the star.
"Obviously, it grew a bit of momentum. As the noise grew louder there were a couple of clubs that were proactive and it was genuine," the Connor Sports agent said.
"But at the same time, it was only ever on the basis of if 'Clarry' wanted out or if Melbourne had lost patience with him and they were all very understanding of the situation."
Oliver will enter the first season of his seven-year contract in 2024, hoping to put the trade saga behind him.
Clayton Oliver set to stay at Melbourne after talks - October 6
The trade saga brewing between Clayton Oliver and Melbourne appears to have faded after the Demons released a statement quashing the speculation.
According to AFL.com.au, Oliver met with Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on Thursday, with the two having positive talks.
Melbourne's statement, released to Demon members on Friday afternoon insisted Oliver would be staying at the club.
"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," Demons CEO Gary Pert said in a letter to members.
"The club has been aware of and supporting Clayton with his personal circumstances for some time and is committed to continuing to do so.
"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. 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."
Melbourne uses trade as leverage for Clayton Oliver's behaviour - October 5
The Demons could be using trade rumours as leverage in a standoff with disgruntled star Oliver, a bombshell report from SEN's Sam Edmund suggests.
Edmund believes Melbourne has entertained talks about the 26-year-old's future in a bid to raise the star's standards and professionalism at the club.
"They needed a commitment from him that he will once again conform to the standards, the expectations that the club demands," he said on AFL Trade Radio's Trade Feed.
"They made a series of demands to Oliver that included treating club staff with respect, teammates with respect, prepare the way that you should, turn up to training in the right condition."
Oliver has attracted interest from Adelaide and Essendon, and although a move appears highly unlikely, Melbourne has yet to rule out a move.
"The reluctance to squash this frenzied trade talk... is exclusively due to their exasperation over Clayton Oliver's increasing erratic behaviour," Edmund revealed.
With Melbourne's grievances known, the 26-year-old will need to comply with the club's demands or find a home elsewhere.
Adelaide, Essendon among clubs interested in Clayton Oliver - October 4
Adelaide and Essendon have been revealed as the two clubs with the most interest in contracted Melbourne star Oliver.
The Crows have lacked midfield depth in recent years and could use Pick 9 and Shane McAdam in a potential trade.
“I'm prepared to say now that Adelaide and Essendon are two clubs that have shown more than just a passing interest in Clayton Oliver. Adelaide and Essendon,” Morris told Trade Radio on Wednesday.
“The Crows have a connection with their fitness boss Darren Burgess, who has an excellent relationship with Oliver at Melbourne. Oliver really liked him.
“We know that one of Oliver's biggest gripes with the Demons, whether it's fair or not – it is not for me to decide – is that he feels as if his troubles this year with injuries were mishandled.”
Essendon, Morris says, see Oliver as a chance to accelerate the club's rebuild after a disappointing 2023 campaign.
“Brad Scott and Adrian Dodoro, they want to play finals next year and win finals next year," he said.
"Essendon feels like it's got enough young draftees.
“They had three in the top 10 a couple of years ago, that Archie Perkins draft with Nik Cox as well. They're trying to get better now."
Melbourne open to trading Clayton Oliver - October 3
Melbourne will consider rival offers for Oliver amid news that the player and club clashed over injury management, reports SEN's Tom Morris.
With rival clubs enquiring about the 26-year-old's availability on Tuesday night, the Demons expressed that they are open to discussions.
The no.1 pick and a chance to draft Harley Reid, is the likely target for the club.
Morris also reported that Oliver had made complaints to friends about the handling of his hamstring injury during the season.
Furthering tensions, the star midfielder elected to approach a non-club physio to deal with a knee injury in September and has since undergone surgery, per 7NEWS.
In contrast, Melbourne has seen Oliver's actions and rehabilitation process as unprofessional.
A public spat between the star and club strength and conditioning boss Selwyn Griffith went viral in July as frustrations rose around the club.
Star Demon Clayton Oliver has clashed with fitness staff during his latest attempt to return from a lingering hamstring injury. Shocked teammates watched on as he left this morning's session suffering yet another setback. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @cleary_mitch @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/9UQnfHUq2w
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) July 5, 2023
Clubs targeting Clayton Oliver - October 3
Multiple rival clubs see Oliver as a potential trade target in this year's trade window, according to Gettable duo Twomey and Beveridge.
"One to watch over the next couple of weeks: clubs are weighing up now whether to make a move for Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver in this year’s trade period," Beveridge said.
Twomey added that there is no indication that Oliver or Melbourne would be willing to facilitate a trade if offers do come from elsewhere.
"It is unclear if he would be open to any move and there has been absolutely no indication that Melbourne would be willing to part with him either," he said.
"This is from the point of view of rival clubs getting their (house) in order to see if a play for him is something they want to proceed with."
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What was Clayton Oliver’s injury?
Oliver pulled up sore following Melbourne’s loss to Port Adelaide in May, with the injury assessed that week as a hamstring strain.
The midfielder progressed well in the early stages of rehabilitation, before being admitted to the hospital with an infected blister in June.
Another setback occurred in training before Round 17, with Oliver unable to complete fitness tests due to further hamstring concerns.
After making his return in Round 22, the 26-year-old dealt with knee issues, with 7NEWS reporting the star had undergone surgery after Melbourne's finals exit.
