Midfield rethink prompts trade talks
Melbourne has effectively signalled that star midfielder Clayton Oliver could seek a new club after a Thursday morning discussion about his fit in the Demons’ evolving midfield plans. Oliver, a four-time best-and-fairest winner who has played 205 games since his 2016 debut, was told that he does not slot neatly into the current midfield architecture and that the club would be comfortable with him pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
The conversation involved new senior coach Steven King, who has taken the reins at a club undergoing a cultural overhaul. While Oliver had expressed a strong desire to remain at Melbourne, a source with detailed knowledge of the meeting said the midfielder understood the broader strategic stance being taken by the football department and leadership group.
This development marks the third post-season period in which Oliver has been floated as a potential trade asset. In 2023, Geelong showed interest in acquiring him and even met with Oliver, prepared to absorb much of his then six-year deal (now five) which carried an average close to $1.3 million a season. The outline proposed by Geelong, however, did not meet Melbourne’s expectations, and the deal did not proceed at the time.
The Demons’ new leadership—King succeeding Simon Goodwin and Paul Guerra taking on the chief executive role—has catalysed a more hard-nosed approach to not only Oliver, but also veteran defender Steven May. The shake-up appears aimed at resetting a club that has entered a period of transition after a turbulent post-2021 era.
Contract, form and the wider landscape
Oliver’s contract runs until the end of 2030, a year longer than Christian Petracca’s deal, and both players have been central to Melbourne’s success in recent seasons. Petracca, meanwhile, has also been given Melbourne’s blessing to explore his options, having met with Adelaide and Gold Coast this week. Petracca remains under contract for four more years with a level of remuneration similar to Oliver’s.
On the field, Oliver’s output has been a topic of debate. He has long been regarded as one of the AFL’s premier midfielders, consistently averaging high disposals across several seasons. Yet, his numbers dipped in 2024, finishing seventh in Melbourne’s best-and-fairest before rebounding modestly this year. The off-field episode in 2023, when he trained away from the squad after a seizure incident, previously cast a shadow over his standing. Still, by 2025 his off-field issues have not carried the same weight in the club’s assessment as they did during the tougher times of the previous year.
What could come next for Melbourne
The trade speculation is set against a backdrop of broader change. Judd McVee has requested a move to Fremantle, and Charlie Spargo is departing for North Melbourne in free agency, signaling a wider retooling of Melbourne’s list. The Cats, previously a potential destination for Oliver, could re-emerge if they secure other targets, though they are focused on a separate pursuit in Hawks onballer James Worpel during free agency.
Ultimately, while the Demons’ stance on Oliver is a signal of a cultural overhaul, it remains to be seen how far the club is prepared to go in a potential trade. Melbourne is unlikely to publicly detail its exact financial appetite in a transaction, including how much of Oliver’s wage the club would be prepared to cover if a deal goes ahead. The next steps will depend on Oliver’s readiness to relocate, interest from suitors, and how Melbourne’s evolving leadership frames its long-term plan for the midfield and the squad as a whole.
Bottom line
As Melbourne navigates a new era under King and Guerra, the fate of Clayton Oliver could hinge on a balancing act between preserving a competitive midfield and embracing a broader cultural reset. For now, the door remains ajar, with Oliver and Melbourne weighing the right path forward in a season that could redefine the franchise’s trajectory.
