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“Utter crap”: The “unequivocal” text Lyon received regarding Oliver
Andrew Slevison • May 6th, 2025 11:20 am
Garry Lyon received a text message from Melbourne regarding the recent story surrounding Clayton Oliver.
There has been some chatter that Oliver is upset about a lack of minutes for the Demons this season, but Lyon says that is not what he has been told.
Sam McClure spoke about it on Footy Classified and also penned an article for The Age, inferring that Oliver is unhappy with a lack of overall game time.
“There’s a myriad of reasons (why Oliver didn’t play), and the most glaring one is the fact that Clayton Oliver is frustrated with his lack of game time he’s been afforded,” said McClure on Channel 9.
“We know this guy was one of the stars of the competition and when he was doing that he was playing high amounts of game time, high 80 per cent we’re talking about. We’re now in the 70s and he’s frustrated.”
Dees champion Lyon says he received contact from the club denying those claims.
“This is hand on heart by the way - I wasn’t aware of the comments that Sam had made but he’s also written an article today in The Age,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“He says ‘Melbourne star Clayton Oliver is frustrated with the club over his reduced playing time which, in part, led to his decision not to play in Saturday night’s win over West Coast’.
“So the inference there is that he (Oliver) has cracked the brace and bits because he’s not getting enough game time therefore he chose not to play.
“I wasn’t aware of that last night, I only woke up to the article this morning. But late last night I got a message from Melbourne that the noise that Clayton missed the game due to a lack of game time is complete and utter crap.
“He missed due to advice from the medical team which was about his wellbeing. That’s the extent of what I know. I read Sam’s article this morning and got that message from Melbourne.
“I haven’t gone any deeper than that but that’s pretty unequivocal from the football club.”
Lyon later doubled down: “I got a message last night and I’ve received another this morning to suggest in their words that it’s ‘100 per cent crap’ that he missed the game against West Coast because he was dissatisfied with the amount of game time.”
While Lyon understands a conversation may take place regarding a potential move, he does see some major roadblocks which could make a move very difficult.
“There’s a couple of really big hurdles in all of this. One is a massive contract and the other one is it’s long-term,” the former club captain said further.
“If he is of that mindset that he wants a fresh start then he needs to be prepared to sacrifice some salary.
“Melbourne may not give up on him, they may think that they can turn him around. My stance historically on this has been - No, don’t let your superstars go.
“But as this rolls on and we’re another season down the track, then that conversation will be had between his manager and the football club. Gee, there’s a couple of hurdles in front of it.”
It is expected that Oliver, the four-time best and fairest, three-time All-Australian and premiership midfielder, will be back in Melbourne’s side for this weekend’s class with Hawthorn at the MCG.
