- Midfielder looked in ominous touch against Kangaroos
- Demons have stood by Clayton Oliver since 2016 debut
- Drama seems to follow the 27-year-old away from footy
Troubled AFL star Clayton Oliver has given Melbourne Demons fans a significant morale boost ahead of the 2025 campaign, producing a dominant showing against North Melbourne on Saturday.
The three-time All-Australian midfielder and four-time club best-and-fairest winner stood out in the pre-season tussle at Arden St.
It came as the Demons pulled away from the Kangaroos for a convincing 46-point win.
While a lot more has to happen before Melbourne can convince their many doubters, it was vintage Oliver – clean hands at stoppages and repeat efforts.
Oliver, 27, was then rested in the last term as the Demons kicked clear for the 18.9 (117) to 10.11 (71) win.
With fellow stars Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney and Steven May not playing, a bulked up Oliver was the focus of attention for the Demons – and he did not disappoint.
Troubled AFL star Clayton Oliver (pictured, middle) has given Melbourne Demons fans a significant morale boost weeks out from the season proper, producing a dominant showing against North Melbourne on Saturday
The three-time All-Australian midfielder and four-time club best-and-fairest winner stood out in the pre-season hit out at Arden St (pictured)
Melbourne Demons assistant coach Troy Chaplin was happy with Oliver’s influence on the contest (pictured, with partner Isobel Cleary)
Oliver has had some well-publicised problems off the field and was on the trade table after last season, going so far as to meet with Geelong.
Away from footy, Oliver’s dramas include previous allegations of illicit drug use, poor behaviour and alterations with Demons staff.
Oliver was granted extended leave last year to deal with ‘personal issues.’
He was also embroiled in an 2016 incident where Oliver called out a Carlton supporter at the MCG who had abused the midfielder.
At the time, Oliver was publicly condemned by former players, including AFL legend Leigh Matthews, who stressed players need to ignore crowd abuse during matches and not confront them.
Oliver, who won a premiership in 2021, is contracted at the Demons until 2030 after signing a multimillion-dollar seven-year extension two years ago.
Well aware one performance is only a step in the right direction, Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin was still happy with Oliver’s influence.
‘It was good to see ‘Clarrie’ getting back to his best….but he still has a lot of room for improvement,’ he said.
‘It’s not just Clarrie the footballer, we also love Clarrie the person and we want to see the best version of him.
‘[I would like to think] we are starting to see that now.’
The Demons open their 2025 AFL campaign on March 16 against the GWS Giants at the MCG.
