Melbourne star Clayton Oliver is reportedly ‘happy’ at the Demons despite his form slump, but rival clubs remain interested onlookers.
Oliver, just one year into a lucrative seven-year deal that increases to over $1 million in the final season, is in the midst of his worst stretch of his career. He’s averaging 24.1 disposals and 4.1 tackles per game in 2024 including a 14-possession game against North Melbourne last weekend.
It comes after a heavily disrupted pre-season due to personal issues during a period he was involved in trade speculation.
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However speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun reporter Glenn McFarlane confirmed Oliver and the Demons remain committed to each other long term.
“It’s the biggest form slump of his career so far, but off the field, he’s actually happier he’s been in quite some time,” McFarlane said.
“Talk of a trade to a new club at the end of the year is effectively dead in the water. These things can change, but at the moment he’s quite happy with where he’s at, not his form.
“That means Melbourne and Clayton remain committed to a long-term relationship.
“Things can turn, but at the moment things are good. The last year of his contract (in 2030) stretches out to like $1.4 million, so it’s a big deal. He’s got that finger issue causing problems still.”
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Despite this, fellow Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark believes rival clubs are still circling the 26-year old.
“I think clubs will dangle the carrot. I’ve spoken to three clubs over the last 48 hours, they are all watching this situation so closely,” Clark said.
“Oliver might be happy at Melbourne and everything you hear out of Simon Goodwin’s month suggests they are loving Oliver, but there are clubs skirting around the edges.
“Tell me Oliver isn’t absolutely perfect for (Geelong), their contested possession rating and clearances have dropped, they don’t have that big-bodied midfielder. If this takes a turn, there will be clubs doing their due diligence, because you’ve got to be in a position to know what’s going on in the background.”
SUNS PREPARED TO TABLE MEGA OFFER FOR RIOLI
Gold Coast is reportedly willing to offer two first-round picks to pry Dan Rioli out of Richmond.
Rioli, who’s contracted at the Tigers until the end of 2027, has been linked to the Suns to reunite with Damien Hardwick including earlier this year meeting with his former coach.
And according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph, the Suns, armed with a chest of picks including current selections 7, 8, 20, 27 and 29, could table a mega offer to poach the 27-year old half back.
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“Gold Coast is prepared to offer the world for Dan Rioli, they would offer two of their three first round picks. The only wrinkle is that one is an end of first rounder of North Melbourne’s,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
Jay Clark responded: “Two first rounders?,” while Glenn McFarlane added: “You’d take that in a heartbeat.”
Ralph concluded that Gold Coast sees itself in a strong position after securing the likes of mid-season draftee Ned Moyle and rookie draftee Bodhi Uwland on the cheap that it’s prepared to be aggressive moving forward.
“You can start throwing some picks at very targeted acquisitions there,” Ralph added.
“It would give Richmond five picks within 32 and three within 20. It’s powerful, got to think about it.”