Clubs interested in exploring a trade for Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver have not been told to call off the chase for the contracted 26-year-old despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Demons’ plans for Oliver.
Melbourne’s senior officials advised they would make no public comment on the Oliver situation on Thursday despite the media storm engulfing their player and club after rival clubs were made aware earlier this week that he could be traded at the right price, despite having seven years to run on his contract with the 2021 premiers.
Clayton Oliver is dejected after the Demons were eliminated in straight sets for the second year in a row. Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
While Melbourne would make no public comment about their contracted player, they also were not making a comment to other clubs to abandon their planning around a possible deal for Oliver.
Four industry sources familiar with the Oliver situation who did not want to speak publicly because of the sensitivity of talks said they expected Melbourne to shut down the Oliver trade discussions on Thursday. But that didn’t happen, clubs were given no indication from Melbourne of a shift in position that Oliver could be available for the right deal.
The only comment Melbourne made was ‘no comment’.
Oliver signed his latest contract, worth more than $1million a season and running through until the end of the 2030 season, midway through the 2022 season as Melbourne seemed headed towards a second premiership. They have since been eliminated in straight sets, losing both finals in consecutive years.
The Demons board met on Wednesday night to discuss their star midfielder who has not spoken publicly since the reports emerged with speculation raging as to what may have led the Demons to contemplate offering up a four-time best and fairest winner to other clubs.
Senior club officials then met on Thursday and were determined to try to ride out the storm without making comment as members and fans were left to guess why the club was considering trading one of their best players and what the club was attempting to achieve.
Feeding this idea of uncertainty about the club’s broad strategy, the Demons are also negotiating with Sydney on a trade for ruckman Brodie Grundy just 12 months after he was brought into the club on significant financial terms.
Reports that the Demons were potentially open to trading Oliver emerged strongly late last week among rival clubs list managers. While there had been noises in recruiting circles several weeks ago that Oliver could be on the table those noises moved into something more tangible in discussions with other clubs.
After not winning another final since their premiership, the Demons have been determined to take a strong approach in all areas of football operations.
Melbourne hold their best and fairest count on Friday night.
