Four to the floor: Clayton Oliver goes big with another Melbourne Demons best and fairest

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has reaffirmed his growing star status by claiming his fourth Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy at the club’s best and fairest on Friday night.

The 25-year-old enters the history books as the equal best winners of the ‘Bluey’, joining the illustrious company of past Melbourne greats Allan La Fontaine and Jim Stynes.

He topped the count with 608 votes, narrowly beating his partner in the engine room, Christian Petracca (553 votes), who won the best and fairest in 2020.

Oliver’s accolade comes after another outstanding season, where the former No.4 draft pick averaged 33 disposals across 23 matches. Added to his reliability, he only missed one game due to injury.

Oliver’s latest achievement caps off an impressive 2022 campaign, where he was recognised as the joint winner AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (with Touk Miller), earned his third All-Australian blazer and finished equal-fourth in the Brownlow Medal.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin praised Oliver’s consistency and said the honour was a great reward for his effort and contribution to the team.

“For Clayton to be awarded his fourth club best and fairest at such a young age is an incredible effort and something he should be really proud of,” Goodwin said.

“Clayton has had another consistent season, where he has been able to perform his role to an exceptional level, while winning his own footy and driving his teammates to new levels.

“He works incredibly hard on improving his game every week and there is no coincidence that the work he does has reflected Clayton’s outstanding season.”