Clayton Oliver Biography

In a speech during the Demons' best and fairest count, Melbourne president Brad Green implies that Clayton Oliver will remain at the club beyond 2024 despite rampant media speculation of his imminent departure.

"I know, come round one next year, when I see the first ball bounced and our midfield of Gawn, Viney, Oliver and Petracca ... that you Melbourne faithful will be there in full force," Green said.

The mention of Oliver's name was met with applause.

Clayton Oliver won't play Melbourne's remaining two games of 2024 after undergoing hand surgery.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin quashes talk about Clayton Oliver's future.

"He's a Melbourne person through and through. He's not going anyway," Goodwin said on Oliver.

"We love him, we love the work that he's done and we'll get his footy right. He's going to be here for a long time playing some great footy."

Melbourne emphatically denies rumours that there is tension between star midfielder Clayton Oliver and the club as speculation around his future with the Demons circulate through the media.

The 27-year-old is averaging 23.5 possessions and 4.33 clearances this year - both the lowest since his debut season of 2016.

"He's really determined to play great footy for us, be a great teammate. You look at him every time he comes to training and the kid's hungry to improve," Demons assistant coach Andrew McQualter said of Oliver.

"He probably hasn't played as well as he has in previous years, but he's still doing a role for us.

"I think 'Goody' (Goodwin) mentioned a couple of weeks ago that teams are still tagging him, so there's a lot of stuff he's doing right and he's determined to improve."

Following a pre-season of controversy, Clayton Oliver says he still has work to do to win back the trust of his teammates and Melbourne supporters after playing a key role in the Demons' first win of the 2024 season against the Bulldogs.

"[There's] still a lot of work to do, little steps along the way, but this is one of them," he told Fox Footy post-game.

"It's been a tough couple of months … Gawny (skipper Max Gawn) and the rest of the boys have all helped me out. It's all worth it at the end of the day, coming and doing this and getting the win with the boys."

Clayton Oliver pleads guilty to driving with a suspended licence.

When questioned by police, Oliver said his doctor had told him not to drive after he had a seizure but he didn't realise his licence was suspended.

"I was aware I wasn't insured and if I crashed I would be liable for everything," the 26-year-old told police.

"I didn't think one seizure from having a head knock accounted for getting my licence suspended."

Clayton Oliver returns to train with his Melbourne teammates for the first time since departing the club's pre-season camp.

"Fundamentally it's just great to have Clayton back and it's great to see him with a smile on his face and feeling better," Dees footy boss Alan Richardson said.

"He's done a lot of training himself. He's basically been in the hands of his medical team and that's gone really well for us and more importantly, it's gone well for Clayton."

Clayton Oliver takes extended leave from pre-season training with the Demons due to personal issues.

"The club fully supports Clayton taking this important time out, which will allow him to focus on these challenges. Our primary focus is Clayton's overall wellbeing, and we will continue to support him through this period," Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said in a statement.

Clayton Oliver leaves Melbourne's pre-season training camp in Lorne to deal with his ongoing personal medical issues.

"Clayton is taking a break as he continues to deal with some issues. We are continuing to support Clayton and managing his program in a way that prioritises his health and wellbeing," Demons football boss Alan Richardson said.

Clayton Oliver will face court in January after he was charged with driving with a suspended licence.

Oliver has been unable to drive on medical grounds since he was hospitalised following a seizure on October 12, but he was pulled over on November 16 and subsequently charged.

Clayton Oliver says he would have accepted a trade if Melbourne had decided they wanted him gone but is now determined to knuckle down and meet the standards demanded by the Demons.

"I did not want to leave. I love the boys, I love the club and I love 'Goody'. I probably owe my career to him so I'd never leave someone who has been so loyal to me," Oliver said.

"I just want to put my best foot forward for the club, be the best teammate I can be and be the best person I can be for the Melbourne Football Club."

Clayton Oliver is discharged from hospital after suffering what the club described as "a medical episode".

The Demons said in a statement on Thursday afternoon that Oliver had been taken to hospital in an ambulance after the incident, where he underwent a number of tests.

Clayton Oliver's manager Nick Gieschen reveals the tough conversations between Melbourne and Oliver that ultimately convinced the midfielder to stay with the Demons.

"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," Gieschen said.

"He very much loves the Melbourne Football Club, it’s like his family. He’s grown up there, he feels very strongly about the footy club and the players and coaches, and sometimes families fight but he’s got enormous respect for 'Goody' and as much as it’s been challenging I don’t think he can see himself playing under another coach because of all the support he’s had from the footy club."

Clayton Oliver will remain at Melbourne after talks with the club amid heated speculation about his future.

Oliver's future had been the biggest story of the off-season to date after it became clear rival clubs believed it was possible to pry the superstar midfielder out of the Demons.

"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."

Clayton Oliver faces another three to four weeks out with due to a troublesome hamstring injury.

"What we have experienced so far is that Clayton can comfortably achieve 90 per cent of his running capacity, but as we saw yesterday, he is unable to get to full speed to pass his minimum training markers," Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said.

Clayton Oliver's manager Nick Gieschen reveals the details of the painful infection suffered by his client who has sat out four consecutive matches.

Oliver has been treated in hospital across five days after a blister on his foot became infected and required antibiotics.

"He was in a pretty bad way. When he said that he had an infection, I didn't realise how bad it was. I went to see him in hospital and he was laying on the bed and his foot was up, all bandaged. From what he's said, it was quite painful. Obviously, it's still causing him some issues even now," Gieschen said.

"He's shattered. He's a competitor, he loves playing and he was devastated to miss the Carlton game and then the Collingwood game. Hopefully, he can get back (next week) and finish off the year strong."

Clayton Oliver will miss the King's Birthday clash with Collingwood as he fights an infected blister on his foot.

"He's still in hospital with an infected foot so that was pretty serious at the time, the infection, so he'll probably end up with five days in hospital. He's obviously on some pretty strong antibiotics to try and get the infection under control," Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.

Clayton Oliver creates history, joining Demon legends Allan La Fontaine and Jim Stynes as just the third player to win a fourth Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy as the club's best and fairest for 2022.

Oliver stormed home to poll 608 votes, comfortably clear of fellow midfielder Christian Petracca (553) in second and defender Steven May (473).

Clayton Oliver and Touk Miller tie for the 2022 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.

Clayton Oliver signs a big contract with Melbourne, tipped to be worth around $7 million, that will ensure the midfielder will remain with the Demons until at least 2030.

"As one of the best players in the competition, we are delighted that Clayton has turned his back on free agency and chosen to commit to the club. It shows the faith he has in our playing group and coaches and it is huge endorsement of the culture we have built under Simon," Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb said.

Clayton Oliver claims his third Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy after being named Melbourne's best and fairest player for the Demons' 2021 premiership season.

The 24-year-old finished with 670 votes to edge out fellow midfield ace Christian Petracca (644) in second, with captain Max Gawn (542) finishing third.

Oliver became just the seventh Demon to win the award on three or more occasions.

Clayton Oliver claims the AFL Coaches' Association Player of the Year award for 2021.

"I'm humbled and proud to be recognised by the coaches with their Champion Player Award," Oliver said.

"I wouldn't be receiving this without my teammates, coaches and staff so I thank them all, and especially to 'Goody' (coach Simon Goodwin). He took me under his wing this season and I couldn?t thank him any more."

Clayton Oliver signs a two-year contract extension with Melbourne to remain at the club until the end of 2023.

"I was always going to sign on. I love all the boys here, love the staff, so it was an easy decision," he said.

Clayton Oliver ties with Max Gawn in the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy count as join club champions for Melbourne in 2019.

It had been expected that Gawn, who won All Australian honours for the third time in his career after a fantastic campaign, would be the runaway winner.

However, Oliver played every game, averaged 30 disposals, 16.3 contested possessions and seven clearances to finish alongside Gawn.

Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw are locked in a sugar-free battle as they attempt to shave off pre-season skinfolds.

The star midfielders have entered into a competition over who can last the longest without giving in to temptation.

"We've got a little bit of a bet on to see who can hold out the longest for not eating chocolate, soft drink or any sugar," Oliver explained.

"(It's been) since day one because we've wanted to get our 'skinnies' down, which is pretty important and keep your muscle-to-weight ratio higher. Hopefully the lower skinnies, the better.

"They've (skinfolds) been the best they've been so it's obviously worked a fair bit. (I'm) running real well and so is Gussy, Gussy's flying."

Max Gawn wins the best-and-fairest award of his career, capping off a stellar 2018 season for the Demons.

Gawn, 26, polled 657 votes to take out Melbourne's best and fairest at Crown Palladium, beating last year's winner Clayton Oliver (595) and the much-improved James Harmes (468).

"I gave myself a goal at the start of the year, and it was a bit of different goal for me, and it was to have no excuse," Gawn said.

"In 2017 I had a terrible season by my own standards. Yes, I tore my hamstring off the bone, but was that because I wasn't as fit as I was in 2016? Was that because I didn't put the work in? Did I slack off in weights? Was my diet not right?

"What happened at the end of the 2017 season hit me pretty hard and I didn't want to have a season like that again."

Clayton Oliver will have a delayed start to the pre-season after being scheduled to have surgery on both of his shoulders.

"Clayton injured both his shoulders during the year and will require surgery. He will have a latarjet operation on both shoulders," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"It's not as significant as a full shoulder reconstruction, but Clayton will need a 2-3 week separation between the procedures.

"He was unable to complete many contact drills at training in the last two months, so to perform the way that he did in that period is remarkable."

Clayton Oliver says he'll be staying off alcohol for the remainder of the 2018 season.

"I won't be drinking until the end of the season, just want to make sure if we're there in September that I'll be fresh and ready to go," Oliver said.

"It's about sacrificing a little bit now, and hopefully the rewards come later."

Clayton Oliver had surgery to repair a broken finger, but willed himself to get up for the game against Carlton.

"He got up for this week's game and it's credit to Clayton, it's credit to our medical department," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"To be able to have that kind of procedure done and still be able to play, you wouldn't have even noticed with Clayton in the way he goes about his footy that he's had an operation."

An aim of swimming 100km over the pre-season has Clayton Oliver in the best physical shape of his career.

"I'm not the fittest player at the club and neither is 'Weido' (Weideman), so we thought we'd try to do 100km of swimming for the pre-season," Oliver said.

"I'm way fitter than what I was last year and my 'skinnies' (skinfolds) are a little bit lower than what they were and I just feel better overall."

Clayton Oliver signs a contract extension with Melbourne which will keep him at the club until the end of 2021.

"The club's in a good place and on the way up, and I want to be a part of it, so I can't wait. It was an easy decision to stay and I can't wait for the next four years," Oliver said.

Clayton Oliver's is rewarded for his stellar breakout season with a maiden Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy as Melbourne's best and fairest for 2017.

Oliver claimed 530 votes to win by a momentous 184 votes from last year's winner and co-captain Jack Viney.

Demons captain Nathan Jones says Clayton Oliver is unlucky to have missed out on being selected in the AFL All Australian squad of 40.

Statistically in 2017, Oliver led the league in handballs (21.9), was second in contested possessions (15.6), fifth in total disposals (659) and eighth in average disposals (30), 10th in clearances (6.6) and 11th in tackles (6.9).

"It's obviously an opinion of the selectors, but from our perspective he's been a terrific addition to our team," Jones said of Oliver.

"He's taken a huge leap for a young player … and he's probably pretty stiff to miss out this year, but I'm tipping he won't be too far away."

Clayton Oliver says he has removed himself from the world of social media to focus on his football.

"I deleted most of my social media so I don't have to worry about it too much now," Oliver said.

"Things don't get to me too easily. I just want to move on. There's no point dwelling on it or anything.

"I just go out there and play like I usually do and let my actions do the talking."

Clayton Oliver apologizes for a heated exchange with a Carlton fan during Melbourne's eight-point win over the Blues at the MCG.

In a second-quarter incident, a Blues fan sitting in the front row at the MCG appeared to yell at Oliver as he followed the ball over the boundary line during the second quarter.

The Demon midfielder approached him and the pair had a brief verbal exchange.

"I shouldn't have reacted the way that I did and I apologise for that because I've taken some polish off the team's win," Oliver said.

"Moving forward I'll learn from this and it won't happen ever again."

Demons midfielder Jordan Lewis said Oliver needed to work on not letting critics get under his skin.

"You do get thick skin the longer you're in the game," Lewis said.

"He's obviously early on in his career. He wouldn't have felt this for the first 18 years of his life.

"It is a whole new world that these young kids are entering and they have to understand it's not necessarily personal but they're trying to put us off our game."

Clayton Oliver and former Test cricketer Damien Martyn have engaged in a fiery Twitter exchange over the Demon's reaction to being struck by Eagle Will Schofield.

Schofield's elbow caught Oliver with a glancing blow to the chin at half-time at Domain Stadium and Oliver fell to the ground immediately afterwards.

Schofield was reported for the hit but reaction from fans on social media was critical of Oliver, suggesting the Demon had 'dived' to make the most of the incident.

In a post-game interview, Oliver said he had been stunned by the contact from Schofield but Martyn was sceptical, to say the least.

The 67-Test batsman responded to a Channel Seven tweet of Oliver's interview with "Am I watching soccer?", in a clear inference that Oliver had staged his reaction.

Oliver was quick to fire back, dredging up one of Martyn's own infamous moments on the sporting field.

"Hey Damien, you should just worry about that shot in 1994. #amiwatchingachoker," he wrote, in reference to Martyn's ill-judged shot against South Africa in the 1994 Sydney Test match that eventually led to Australia's narrow loss to South Africa.

Clayton Oliver was best afield in the Demons' 30-point win over St Kilda, racking up game-highs in disposals (36), clearances (nine), centre clearances (six), tackles (seven) and contested possessions (14).

"I nearly fell over when I read that Clayton Oliver had only played 14 games," Melbourne teammate Jordan Lewis said.

"He's come a really long way this year and I have the confidence that he's going to put in consistent games back-to-back."

Clayton Oliver avoids avoided suspension despite being charged for drink driving over the pre-season.

Oliver will instead be forced to source his own road safety education and organise an expert to present to the players on the dangers of drink driving and the link to road trauma.

The 19-year-old has also been fined an undisclosed amount by the Demons, understood to be a four-figure sum, which will be donated to a yet-to-be-determined cause.

Oliver stood up in front of the entire playing group to apologise for his indiscretion.

"Clayton is embarrassed by his actions and understands that he has let himself and others down," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"He also understands how fortunate he was that no one was injured, nor was there any property damaged."

Melbourne will wait for the return of its senior leaders before deciding on the appropriate punishment for Clayton Oliver, who was caught drink driving in the off-season.

Oliver failed a roadside breath test while on his leave period and recently informed the club of his actions.

"We are extremely disappointed in the decisions Clayton made, which led to this," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"Not only did he put himself at risk, but he put his passenger and members of the general public at risk and this is completely unacceptable.

"We have discussed this with Clayton and he is extremely remorseful for his actions. Clayton understands how lucky he was and that nothing more serious occurred as a result of his poor decision-making on this occasion."

Cyril Rioli has copped a $1,000 fine after his hip and shoulder on Clayton Oliver but says he will not change his physical style.

"Yeah, I was (relieved) actually, cost me a bit of money but …" he said.

"I just went at the body, I didn't think too much about it and after the game I spoke to some of the guys about if I'd get looked at.

"But I wasn't too worried about it."

Clayton Oliver signs a new deal with Melbourne until the end of the 2019 season.

"It was a very easy decision. My manager said 'just go with it' and I did," Oliver said.

"I thought I'd get it out of the way and get it done with because I was going to sign eventually."

Clayton Oliver says simple advice from Melbourne development Brendan McCarthy was the catalyst for his standout debut against GWS.

"Macca, my development coach, just tells me to see the ball and get the ball. So as long as I play my role, do that as well," Oliver said.

"I was pretty surprised and I didn't think I was going to get so much of the ball, but it was good to do that and it was pretty fun."

Melbourne draftee Clayton Oliver says he is enjoying his time living with teammate Angus Brayshaw.

"They're a really good family and Mark and Deb are really good parents to have as host parents," he said, with Brayshaw's father Mark, the AFL Coaches Association CEO.

"I'm usually pretty cooked, so I just go home, go to bed, play some PlayStation or go to see my girlfriend, who is out in Malvern."

Clayton Oliver has earned the round one NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his eye-catching debut at the elite level in the Demons' win over the Giants.

Oliver ended the game with 22 disposals (an equal game-high 15 contested), a match-high seven clearances and two tackles – all in just 58 per cent game time.

Oliver could not contain his excitement when he was interviewed post-match.

"'Macca' [Demons development coach Brendan McCartney] told me to see ball, get ball – just go hard at the ball and win it, and that's it," Oliver told Fox Footy.

"I'm that happy."

Clayton Oliver makes his AFL debut for Melbourne at the MCG with 22 disposals (5 kicks and 17 handballs), 2 marks and 2 tackles in a 2-point win over GWS.

Clayton Oliver has begun to work on his tackling technique to avoid coming under Match Review Panel scrutiny in the future.

The young Melbourne midfielder escaped with a $1000 fine for engaging in rough conduct against Port Adelaide's Aaron Young during the fourth quarter of the Demons' NAB Challenge game, but the club have realised he needs to work on that part of his game.

Melbourne select Clayton Oliver with pick No.4 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's nice and strong and keeps his body in line with the ball. He's got some tricks in traffic that we like and he's got an ability to go forward. He's an aggressive animal, really," Melbourne recruiting boss Jason Taylor said.