- Clayton Oliver could be leaving the Melbourne Football Club
- The troubled star has been linked with another rival club
- He signed a seven-year contract with the Demons in 2022
Clayton Oliver’s future could lie outside the Melbourne Football Club, with reports suggesting a fellow Victorian side are monitoring the 26-year-old.
Oliver has struggled off the field of late, with the superstar midfielder being hospitalized in the off-season, but he has recovered and returned to training in great form for the new AFL season.
The troubled star has penned a seven-year deal with the Demons, signed in June 2022, but has been linked with a fresh start away from the club.
And according to News Corp Geelong Football Club’s Jay Clark is keeping a close eye on Oliver.
“We can tell you tonight that Geelong is keeping a close eye on Clayton Oliver,” Clark told Fox Footy on Tuesday night.
Clayton Oliver has attracted interest from a rival Victoria club, it is reported
“We know the Cats have a midfield, (Patrick) Dangerfield, 34, (Cam) Guthrie injured, a few youngsters – (Max) Holmes, (Tanner) Bruhn still developing.”
Clark added that the Cats are also looking at Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith, who is out for a year after breaking his cruciate ligament in pre-season.
“They’re crying out, the Cats, for their next center field star. We know a little bit about (the) Bailey Smith (interest). You can add Clayton Oliver to the Cats’ watch list, they are very interested in his services should he become available.”
A stunned Sam Landsberger asked Clark, “All summer long I thought Bailey Smith would be their top target,” Landsberger said. “(He has the) Cotton On sponsorship, they share that with the Cats. Are you telling me they (choose) Clayton Oliver over ‘Baz’? Or can they have both? This is big.’
Clark replied, “It’s a good question. I don’t think they have any preferences because it’s so early. We’re not even in round 1 yet.
The 26-year-old could move to fellow AFL giants Geelong Cats
‘(Cats recruitment boss) Andrew Mackie and his team will have a list of 30 midfield targets that they (covet). They need a new spearhead.
‘It is an aging and disjointed group. They need someone to help them get back to the finals. We know the Cats aren’t messing around with their recruitment – Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield – they’re going to pop.
“So this could be the bombshell (because) Bailey Smith we knew about.”
Fox Footy colleague Jon Ralph added: “I just love Geelong’s ambition. I love the fact that they will never go quietly into the night; the window of premiership is never closed.”