Clayton Oliver Saga: Has the Big Man Played His Last Game for the Dees?

The AFL world is absolutely buzzing, and it's all about one man: Clayton Oliver. The four-time Melbourne Demons Best and Fairest winner has been front and centre in trade talk for the third year running, but this time, it feels different—and a bit grim. It looks like the Demons are genuinely open to letting their superstar midfielder walk, and the news has sent shockwaves through the footy community

Oliver's future with the Dees, despite being contracted on a massive deal until the end of 2030, is now in serious doubt. Reports have surfaced that the new Demons coach, Steven King, met with the contested ball-magnet and was straight-up—Oliver isn't guaranteed a spot in the senior midfield next season, and VFL footy beckons if he stays and doesn't cop a role change. It's a massive shift in tone from the club, which just a couple of seasons ago, would have laughed off any suggestion of trading the bloke they call 'Clarry.'

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The Big Ultimatum: Change or Ship Off

The meeting on Thursday was reportedly short and "heated," leaving the 28-year-old "shattered." The Demons, who are going through a serious list and culture reset after a disappointing 2025 season and the sacking of premiership coach Simon Goodwin, seem to have had an absolute gutful of the ongoing off-field issues and inconsistent performance that have plagued Oliver over the past two years.

The club's new brass, led by CEO Paul Guerra, is clearly drawing a line in the sand. Their statement confirmed they were "upfront with Clayton around the role he is likely to play next season and the need for him to develop his craft beyond the midfield." In plain English, if Oliver can't lift his standards and accept a new position, his days in the red and blue might be finito. This isn't just about a trade; it's a massive club call that puts one of the game's best players on notice.

The Demons have also made a stunning move to grease the wheels for a trade, reportedly willing to fork out as much as $700,000 a year—more than half—of Oliver's lucrative salary until 2030 to get him off their books. This unprecedented step signals just how desperate the club is for a clean slate and a fresh start. For rival clubs, this changes everything; a proven A-grader on a massive discount is an absolute game-changer. It’s the kind of opportunity that will have every list manager across the country calling their partner for a quick chat before getting straight to work.

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Who's Keen for the Ball-Magnet?

The rumour mill has been spinning faster than a turbo-charged V8, with nearly every rival club being linked to the three-time All-Australian.

The Geelong Cats have been the most persistent suitor in the past, with Oliver even reportedly meeting with some of their senior players on a farm last off-season. Given their need for inside grunt and their history of revitalising experienced players, the Cats are still considered a hot favourite. If they can get him for a decent price and with a salary subsidy, it's a no-brainer for a side with premiership aspirations.

Another club that makes a heap of sense is Collingwood. With star veteran Tom Mitchell potentially leaving, the Pies need a ready-made inside bull to work alongside Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey. Oliver’s grunt work would be a perfect fit for their midfield engine room, and it would immediately make the Magpies a serious contender once again.

The Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows are also clubs that have been mentioned in dispatches. Sydney has a young, elite midfield, and Oliver would add a different dimension. Adelaide, who chased him back in 2023, is still desperate for midfield depth. The opportunity to get Oliver at a cut-price rate, especially with the Dees willing to chip in on the salary, is simply too good for most clubs to ignore.

In all this chaos, what's clear is that the Demons are facing a huge exodus. Oliver's situation is compounding the drama around premiership teammate Christian Petracca requesting a trade, and veteran defender Steven May also being told to explore his options. The 'Dees are blowing it up,' as the saying goes, and it’s set to be one of the wildest trade periods in recent memory. For punters looking to keep track of all the latest player movements and odds in this incredible trade saga, you might want to keep an eye on sites like77luck, as the odds on Oliver's next club will be changing quicker than a Melbourne weather forecast. The anchor keyword 77luck is key to tracking this high-stakes play.

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What's Next in the Oliver Story?

Oliver is a gun, no two ways about it. He's one of the best contested players in the AFL, and a club will be getting a serious weapon. However, the question marks around his professionalism and off-field stability are the real issue. Any club that trades for him isn't just buying a player; they're buying into a massive project.

For now, the trade period is officially open, and the clock is ticking. Will Oliver find a new home and a fresh start interstate? Or will he swallow his pride, accept a radically different role at the Demons, and try to earn back the respect of his club? Given the club's unprecedented willingness to pay for his departure, it seems the Demons' hierarchy has already made up its mind: it's time to move on. This could be the biggest trade bombshell of the year, one that changes the premiership landscape for 2026.

Will 'Clarry' be donning new colours next season, and which club do you reckon he'll land at?