Melbourne weighing up trading Clayton Oliver in AFL stunner

Melbourne could slam its own premiership window shut, with news star onballer Clayton Oliver could be traded, in a first AFL bombshell post-season.

The Demons bombed out of the AFL finals in straight-sets after being one of the heavy favourites with online bookmakers to push deep into September, with the club now in a precarious position as it tries to rejig its premiership aspirations.

Melbourne is a $7 chance to win the 2024 AFL premiership, but trading Oliver, potentially to get the no.1 draft pick and young star Harley Reid would almost certainly close their immediate flag prospects.

Oliver, a four-time best and fairest winner at the Demons, finds his future uncertain amidst whispers about the Demons losing patience with him, following an injury interrupted season, and various clubs expressing interest in acquiring the superstar player in a shock move.

This intrigue and speculation are fueled by Melbourne’s apparent dissatisfaction with Oliver’s approach to rehabilitation and his response to the series of setbacks he faced due to a hamstring injury. This injury significantly impacted his game, rendering him unable to play for 10 matches during the season.

The Demons have emphatically denied that Oliver was on the move, and the club indicated its commitment to standing by their star player.

Adding complexity to the Demons roster dynamics, it’s already confirmed that players James Jordon and Brodie Grundy are set to join the Sydney Swans, following Luke Jackson out the door, who transferred to Fremantle in the previous year.

James Harmes, is also reportedly exploring opportunities to start afresh with a new team.