Trade talk: Oliver's immediate Demons future uncertain
SEN • October 2nd, 2025 11:37 am

Clayton Oliver’s immediate playing further at Melbourne is uncertain.
SEN’s Sam Edmund is reporting that the midfielder will today meet with new Demons coach Steven King about what the future holds.
Edmund is of the understanding that “all options are on the table” for Oliver who remains contracted until 2030.
“I want to bring some breaking news to you out of Melbourne,” Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio.
“It concerns Clayton Oliver. Clayton has been summoned to a meeting today with Steven King to be introduced to the new Melbourne coach. The pair haven’t met face to face before.
“It’s my understanding that in this meeting today Steven King will outline his plans for Clayton Oliver next season, and there will be a change in role, certainly a change in philosophy, a change in how they want to use Clayton Oliver.
“From what I’m told that may or may not be to Clayton’s liking, and all options are on the table here in terms of him being asked to explore his options with Clayton saying he wants to explore his options.
“At the moment his immediate playing future is uncertain. He had been largely resolved in his own mind that he wanted to stay at Melbourne for the long term and make it work.
“I’m not sure if that feeling is 100 per cent reciprocated by Melbourne.
“So that meeting will take place. He’s being summoned there, I’m told, specifically. It’s an open-ended conversation that could go in any direction.”
It’s not the first time Oliver’s future at the Dees has been questioned with rumours circulating over the last few years that he has been unhappy at the club.
But speaking just a few weeks prior to the official AFL Trade Period, Oliver’s manager Nick Gieschen of Connors Sports Management said his client was resolute on staying put.
“He’s very happy at Melbourne, loves the club and wants to have a great season in 2026,” Gieschen said.
“He’s a Melbourne person.”