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Sport Nation
Ranking all 17 rival clubs by the best fit for Clayton Oliver
Lachlan Geleit • October 2nd, 2025 6:02 pm
The AFL trade world erupted on Thursday morning with Melbourne effectively telling Clayton Oliver to look to move to a rival club.
While it’s the third-straight year Oliver has been a big name during the trade period, this is the first time the Dees have appeared to push him out the door instead of wanting to keep him to his contract.
Oliver is signed at Melbourne for another five years on a huge deal, but SEN’s Sam Edmund is reporting that the Dees are willing to pay more than half of his salary per year to get him off their books (as much as $700,000).
With that in mind and the fact that the midfielder might not cost a heap in terms of trade value, compared to the first round selections offered previously, surely there’s plenty of clubs who will show interest.
We’ve ranked all 17 rival teams by who is the best fit for the three-time All-Australian this off-season.
1 - Collingwood
A seriously good fit. The Pies need some inside midfield grunt with Tom Mitchell on the way out. Oliver could be the ideal piece to put next to the mercurial Nick Daicos, powerful Jordan De Goey and Ned Long who can play a defensive role. Yes.
2 - GWS
A nice fit for a team that will be planning on contending in 2026. It’s an area of the ground where the Giants could improve, and a move interstate may not be the worst thing. Green and Callaghan are a clear one and two, and Oliver could complete the trio.
3 - Essendon
The Dons could absolutely do with a senior body in the midfield, especially if Zach Merrett leaves. But would Oliver want to join a side that’s bottoming out to rebuild?
4 - West Coast
West Coast need someone to help out Harley Reid on-ball, and they could absolutely use Oliver. Feels like this is just about the last club he’d want to move to, though.
5 - Sydney
The Swans have a nice midfield already, but Oliver could be a fit here. He offers something different to all of Heeney, Warner, Gulden and Rowbottom… you can bet Sydney would get him firing again too.
6 - Adelaide
The Crows have previously been in on Oliver, and they desperately need midfielders… but with them already chasing Christian Petracca, it seems unlikely. If he chooses the Suns though, they surely take a look. Will rise sharply if other options fall over.
7 - Geelong
The Cats have also been all over Oliver in the past and there’s no doubt he’d want to head down the highway. But are their eggs in the James Worpel basket instead? You’re probably not bringing both in.
8 - Hawthorn
The Hawks are well and truly on the lookout for more midfielders, but it feels they’re looking elsewhere at Zach Merrett instead. Inside ball-winning and clearance is probably not a weakness of theirs either, with Jai Newcombe in that role.
9 - St Kilda
The Saints want everyone, and Oliver would be a nice piece to add… but they surely won’t be after him if they’re keeping Jack Steele and already putting their eggs in the Sam Flanders basket. Unless that changes, it’s hard to see.
10 - Fremantle
Another body in the middle wouldn’t hurt the Dockers, but this isn’t an area they need to address. Unlikely.
11 - Gold Coast
Gold Coast is pretty sorted on ball, and it’s hard seeing all of Matt Rowell, Touk Miller and Clayton Oliver in the same midfield.
12 - North Melbourne
North are already telling Jy Simpkin that he can’t be guaranteed midfield minutes. Oliver would make a difference at Arden St, but it feels like they should be prioritising their youth here.
13 - Port Adelaide
This is a pass here, unless the Power are ready to move on the likes of Ollie Wines and Willem Drew out of the midfield.
14 - Brisbane
The Lions are already stacked in the midfield and probably want to give some of their younger players more opportunities on the inside. Can’t see it happening.
15 - Western Bulldogs
The Dogs should really be focusing on other areas of the ground. Their midfield is stacked, and they shouldn’t be in the running for Oliver.
16 - Carlton
Inside midfield is the exact position Carlton don’t need to bolster. They want pace and kicking, not clearance work.
17 - Richmond
No. Taranto, Prestia and Hopper are already on the list, and the Tigers will want to give opportunities to their talented kids.
