'It's just not true': Melbourne deny Clayton Oliver tension despite trade speculation
Melbourne has strongly denied suggestions that there are tensions between the club and troubled midfield star Clayton Oliver.
It was Oliver's troubled pre-season, which hindered the start to his 2024 campaign, which had Sam McClure convinced that the Demons want to get rid of him at season's end.
The 2021 premiership midfielder was in the spotlight over the off-season for multiple reasons, including his early exit from the club's training camp at the end of 2023, following intense trade speculation as well as a brief hospital visit
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"He is up for grabs," McClure said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.
"There's frustration and tension building between the two parties.
Clayton Oliver has interest from Adelaide to pull off a trade at the end of the season. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"Clayton Oliver is frustrated about lately starting on the bench. His new role that he's been given, he doesn't think he's been utilised the best way he can be."
There are also suggestions that Oliver and the Demons could enter post-season discussions surrounding his future.
However, Demons assistant coach Andrew McQualter vehemently denied any suggestions that Oliver was falling out with coach Simon Goodwin, or had any plans on leaving before his mega deal came to an end.
"It's just not true," McQualter said on Wednesday.
"Clayton's great. He's really determined to play great footy for us, be a great teammate.
"You look at him every time he comes to training and the kid's hungry to improve."
Despite praising the 26-year-old's work ethic, McQualter admitted that the club knows he is not quite where he could be, football wise.
"He probably hasn't played as well as he has in previous years, but he's still doing a role for us," he said.
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"I think 'Goody' (coach Simon Goodwin) mentioned a couple of weeks ago, that teams are still tagging him, so there's a lot of stuff he's doing right and he's determined to improve."
The Demons are still in the hunt for finals, sitting in 10th, with a 10-8 record.
