‘Frustrated’ Oliver told to explore trade options as ‘heated’ Demons meeting details revealed

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has reportedly been left “frustrated” after a “heated” meeting with the club in which he was told to explore his options.

Oliver, who’s contracted until 2030, met with new senior coach Steven King on Thursday and was told he wouldn’t be guaranteed regular senior footy next season.

It comes as Christian Petracca, Judd McVee and likely Steven May are also on their way out in an off-season of significant change at the club.

Watch every match of the 2025 NAB AFL Women’s Season LIVE ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Nine’s Tom Morris reported on social media platform X on Thursday: “Melbourne has told Clayton Oliver today they can’t guarantee him a spot in the senior team in 2026 and would be happy to facilitate a fair trade if he can find a new home. If not, VFL football beckons.

“Last year, Geelong offered a future first rounder and a 6 (year) $1 million deal, but the Dees said no. It’s unclear if similar offers would be forthcoming this year from rivals.

“Oliver is frustrated. It’s the third year in a row he will be front and centre in trade discussions.”

Seven’s Mitch Cleary, meanwhile, reported the “heated” meeting lasted just 12 minutes before Oliver made his exit, having been “told to find a new home”.

He added Oliver was “left shattered” upon hearing that his midfield time would be stripped back under King in 2026, with five more years to run on his current deal.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reported earlier on Thursday that Oliver and King were set to meet each other for the first time, with King to outline his plans for the gun midfielder moving forward.

“Clayton has been summoned to a meeting today with Steven King to be introduced to the new Melbourne coach. The pair haven’t met face to face before,” Edmund told AFL Trade Radio.

“It’s my understanding that in this meeting today Steven King will outline his plans for Clayton Oliver next season, and there will be a change in role, certainly a change in philosophy, a change in how they want to use Clayton Oliver.

“From what I’m told that may or may not be to Clayton’s liking, and all options are on the table here in terms of him being asked to explore his options, Clayton saying he wants to explore his options.

“At the moment his immediate playing future is uncertain. He had been largely resolved in his own mind that he wanted to stay at Melbourne for the long term and make it work.

“I’m not sure if that feeling is 100 per cent reciprocated by Melbourne.

“So that meeting will take place. He’s being summoned there, I’m told, specifically. It’s an open-ended conversation that could go in any direction.”

The news comes just days after fellow star midfielder Petracca requested a trade, while key defender May has also been urged to explore his options.

Melbourne has been steadfast in its messaging that any Petracca move would need to greatly benefit the club.

“I’ve spoken to Christian on the phone,” King told SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning.

“As a coach I’d love the opportunity to work with Christian and coach him.

“I fully understand the landscape we’re in. I respect Christian’s decisions now to explore his options, but he has got fours left on a contract.

“So it would have to be an amazing deal for our footy club for him to move. If things don’t work out for Christian, it’s a fresh start with me and Paul (Guerra) as CEO.

“I’ve got his back around walking back into the club and playing great footy, and I’ll back him in.”

King said Petracca “would be central” to the Dees’ plans should he stay.

“I’ve let him know the environment I want to create here at this footy club and more importantly the style and brand of footy we want to play,” King said.

“Christian would be central to that. He’s still runner-up in our best and fairest and we all know the player Christian is. He’d be pivotal to those plans I’ve got.

“I respect his time and space, I’ll give him that, but he’d be a central part of what we’re doing moving forward.”

Emerging youngster Judd McVee has also requested a trade to Fremantle in what shapes as a milestone off-season for Melbourne and its new coach.

“Today’s meeting is further proof Melbourne is seeking a fresh start under Steven King,” Nine’s Tom Morris told AFL Trade Radio.

“Clayton Oliver fully expects to be told to look at his options, and I can tell you he is very flat.”

Petracca met with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks in recent days, but Essendon great James Hird thinks the Crows should also look at Oliver.

“The Adelaide Crows could well and truly do with Clayton Oliver,” Hird added.

Click here to read article