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Sport Nation
Giants recruit sidelined with "less than ideal" calf injury
SEN • January 14th, 2026 4:36 pm
Clayton Oliver has been sidelined for at least a fortnight in yet another pre-season injury concern.
The Giants' prized recruit went down with a calf injury on Monday per AFL.com.au's Josh Gabelich, and is expected to miss at least two weeks.
“He appeared to have had a calf concern this morning. They’re calling it a calf issues, the Giants are too concerned about it but there’s a week or two on the sidelines,” said The Age's Lachlan McKirdy.
“It’s less than ideal, they called it a hiccup this morning.
“It was a lighter session this morning but they look in good nick. There is talk of (Toby) Greene and his glute as well but there is no concern about him being ready for round bone it’s probably more the Origin clash he will miss.
“Giants want their players involved in that game but they wont take risks.”
Oliver adds to an already lengthening list of players sidelined during pre-season, with a pair of Magpies also suffering calf injuries upon returning from the Christmas break.
Carlton's Jesse Motlop became the fourth straight Blue to be ruled out of an entire campaign with a pre-season ACL injury, while North Melbourne's Jackson Archer will also miss the entire 2026 season.
"What happens when players are given a ridiculous 93 days off post-season + a Christmas break and then launch back into competitive training unconditioned?" Kane Cornes said via X.
"Absolute injury carnage across the league."
