Clayton Oliver Returns to Training Amid Contract Saga

Melbourne Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver resumes training after mental health leave, but controversy erupts as club chair Brad Green slams media coverage of his situation.

Melbourne Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver has returned to training after a one-week mental health leave.

Interim Melbourne Demons chair Brad Green publicly defended Oliver, criticizing the football media's response in a social media post that sparked controversy within the fraternity.

Clayton Oliver's frustration reportedly stems from reduced game time, which has dipped below 80% in 2025.

The Demons had previously denied Oliver's trade request to Geelong, opting to honor his lucrative contract that runs until 2030. This decision may be contributing to his growing discontent.

Teammate Jack Viney reported that Clayton Oliver seemed “back to his old self” during training, suggesting the ongoing issues might be settling. However, the situation reignited when Oliver's brief response to a question about his availability for the upcoming game sparked controversy.

"We're so proud of the work that he's done"

Dees coach Simon Goodwin confirms that Clayton Oliver will return this week!

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 7, 2025

Oliver's comment, “who knows, mate,” when asked if he'd play this weekend, reportedly disappointed some club officials. Following this, Melbourne Demons interim chair Brad Green strongly criticized the media coverage of Oliver's situation, calling it “an absolute disgrace” after Nine Network reporter Joel Kennedy questioned Oliver at training.

Media personalities Caroline Wilson and Kane Cornes criticized Melbourne Demons interim chair Brad Green's comments, with Wilson describing his post as “really unedifying.” Cornes advised Green to “stop going to Twitter and acting like a football fan and reacting every time he thinks his club has been harshly treated.”

Eddie McGuire, a veteran journalist and former Collingwood president, sided with the media, telling Green to “put the phone away.” McGuire noted, “This is going to be a big story until it's not. It's as simple as that,” implying the media scrutiny is inevitable.