'They're not true': Dees coach says Oliver 'frustrated' at speculation

Simon Goodwin says there was nothing more to Clayton Oliver's week off than the health and wellbeing of the star midfielder

Clayton Oliver greets fans after the R6 match between Melbourne and Fremantle at the MCG on April 19, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

SIMON Goodwin has denied there was anything more to Clayton Oliver's break than his wellbeing, saying the Melbourne star is "frustrated" by speculation around it.

Oliver, whose off-field health and issues over the last few years have been well-documented, will return for Saturday's massive game against Hawthorn after missing last week's win in Perth over West Coast.

The Demons have been adamant that it was a sound decision, based on medical advice.

But inevitably, it sparked some commentary about Oliver's future beyond this season and talk that he was frustrated about his game time, among other matters.

Before Thursday training, his coach Goodwin was asked whether that speculation frustrated him.

"It's more important that Clayton finds them frustrating. That's the biggest thing ... they're not true," Goodwin said.

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"He hasn't got resentment, he's not upset about game time ... he's really content and happy.

"A lot of those things were dealt with previously, at the end of last season.

"He's in a really good space and that mindset of wanting to be the best teammate he can possibly be. That's where the frustration comes."

Goodwin praised Oliver for asking for the break, saying it was "pretty obvious" he needed a spell.

The coach added Oliver might need similar time off in the future, while stressing that the onballer has made massive strides in his health and wellbeing.

"It was on the back of some great medical advice," Goodwin said.

Harrison Petty is congratulated by by Clayton Oliver during the R6 match between Melbourne and Fremantle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 19, 2025. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

"We're really proud he put his hand up and was able to take that time.

"What we've seen so far in the last few days is a refreshed Clayton. He's keen to get back into it.

"He's been on a journey for a long time and more often than not, things have been progressing forward. But there will be times when we just need to take a breath and go back a step - so we go forward now."

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After their 0-5 start, the Demons have won the last three.

It goes up several notches now, with Hawthorn followed by Brisbane and Sydney.

"We're a different team ... what we value in the last three or four weeks has completely shifted. We've become really strong around the footy again and we're defending to a fairly high level," Goodwin said.

Melbourne has not lost to Hawthorn in nine games - eight wins and a draw - but has not played them since round three last season.

Then, the Hawks were in the midst of their own 0-5 start before they surged to a narrow semi-final loss.

"We look at all those examples ... two great examples last year, in Hawthorn and (reigning premiers) Brisbane, and the year before it was Carlton," Goodwin said.

"That's our aim, to continually get better and find our way into the season."

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