Clayton Oliver "one of the best to emerge in last 20 years"

Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon believes Clayton Oliver doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

Oliver was a massive part of his side’s 91-point win over Adelaide, gathering 31 disposals and laying 10 tackles.

“He’s still 20, this kid. He’s one of the best players to emerge on the scene in the last 20 years,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“His work rate in the last quarter was enormous. He was pushing himself as hard at the end when they were 80 points up as he was at the start.”

Essendon champion Tim Watson agreed, saying it’s easy to miss what Oliver does best.

“You know what, Oliver does everything and nobody notices,” he said.

“This is what happened on the weekend, I think he had 18 touches in the first half and at half-time, the broadcasters said they didn’t even notice him.

“He is a freakish talent, I don’t know if anyone moves quicker from contest to contest when it’s in his area.”

Oliver is ranked number one in the competition for handballs and fourth for contested possessions behind Patrick Cripps, Nathan Fyfe and Tom Mitchell.

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