Amid growing “tension” between Clayton Oliver and Melbourne, it’s been claimed the out-of-form superstar could be sent packing this off-season.
Plus the coach of one of the AFL’s top free agents speaks on his future.
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‘CLEARLY UP FOR GRABS’: GROWING ‘TENSION’ OVER $7M EXIT
There is “frustration and tension building” between Melbourne and out-of-form superstar Clayton Oliver, with Adelaide the clear contender to land his services should the premiership midfielder leave.
That’s according to Footy Classified presenter Sam McClure, who said the Crows’ first-round pick was on offer this trade period as the club seeks to add talent to a list which is heading towards a disappointing bottom-five finish.
Oliver did not enjoy a full pre-season due to his off-field issues, with the Demons briefly considering whether to trade him away late last year. And while he has shown flashes of his Brownlow-level best, his decline in the opening year of a $7 million contract has sparked concern.
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“I think he’s clearly up for grabs. If he’s going to leave Melbourne, which is an if at this stage, it will be to the Adelaide Crows,” McClure said on Nine.
“This is a complicated one. Adelaide have made it very clear to the rest of the competition that their first pick is up for grabs – that’s not saying it’ll absolutely be for Clayton Oliver.
“As we sit here tonight, I don’t Melbourne are over the hump with saying they absolutely want to let go of Clayton Oliver.
“There’s frustration and tension building between the two parties, Clayton Oliver is frustrated about lately starting on the bench, this new role that he’s been given, he doesn’t think he’s being utilised the best way he can be. He’s on six years at more than $1.1 million (a season).
He added: “I think there’ll be a conversation with all parties at the end of the year … but if he’s going to go to the Crows, the Crows aren’t paying all of that money.
“So it’ll be hard to sell to Melbourne members and people that we are trading Clayton Oliver oh and by the way, for the remainder of that deal we’re paying a fair chunk of it.”
For the Crows’ part, CEO Tim Silvers wouldn’t be drawn on the club’s specific interest in Oliver when speaking on 3AW last Friday night.
However he declared: “We’re all about making our list better.
“I don’t want to comment on any players but we need to improve our list. We’re looking at different potentials at the moment.”
SAINTS COACH ‘REALLY COMFORTABLE’ WITH FREE AGENT’S STATUS
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon “doesn’t believe the media narrative” that Hawthorn is the strong front-runner to land free agent defender Josh Battle this trade period.
With the free agency market shrinking by the week, Battle looms as one of the top players on offer, with the Hawks, Collingwood and Melbourne all showing interest in the backman.
It has been suggested the Hawthorn offer is for six years and could be at a high enough salary, over the $900,000 a year mark, to land the Saints first-round compensation.
While Lyon didn’t outright state he expects Battle to stay at Moorabbin, he told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he’s “really comfortable” with his relationship with the 25-year-old.
“I just live in process. Create the environment, coach him well – Corey Enright’s the half-back whisperer and developed him pretty well … I just coach week-to-week, I never really engage in player contracts,” Lyon said on Fox Footy.
“I build my relationships, there’s lots of moving pieces. I don’t believe all the media narrative. I haven’t initiated any conversations with Josh – Josh has certainly initiated some with me – but I give them their space and enjoy the ride. It’s part of it. Build it and they’ll come – that’s the space I live in.”
Asked if there was any awkwardness, Lyon said: “No not one iota. We’re an incredibly strong player-coach relationship. There’s always a lot of moving pieces underneath that you guys wouldn’t see – particularly with Josh – so I’m really comfortable.”
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Source Agencies
