As star Melbourne midfielder continues his cautious behavioural rehabilitation, his club is also trying to overcome six months of on- and off-field horrors
Rarely has the destiny of such a brilliant, troubled, often dysfunctional athlete so reflected the fortunes of his football club.
The club started to ponder a world without Oliver, now 26, and just what a potential trade would look like.As Melbourne’s disastrous September merged into a hellish off-season, the Oliver trade talk became public, as did his downward trajectory. Oliver was sent to hospital in an ambulance after a seizure late last year and was subsequently charged with driving while his licence was suspended post-seizure.
Both chief executive and coach have remained steadfast regarding Melbourne’s culture. Pert has insisted that holding the Demons’ four-time club champion to account – removing him from the squad during pre-season – was indicative of the tougher line and refusal to compromise. Goodwin has stated that Oliver’s issues, coupled withwere isolated incidents.
Nor have they ruled out putting him up for trade should those circumstances radically change. The tightrope being walked by Melbourne comes with the realisation that Oliver’s health challenges are long term and that while he has proved a big problem for the club at times, Clayton Oliver remains their problem.
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