SEN’s Tom Morris has revealed the two clubs that have shown considerable interest in Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver.
Reports emerged on Tuesday on AFL Trade Radio that clubs were considering plays to prise Oliver out of Melbourne, but Morris says Essendon and Adelaide are currently the two clubs showing more than just a passing interest.
One of the reasons behind the reported disconnect between club and player is that Oliver became frustrated with the club’s medical and high-performance staff as he battled a significant hamstring injury in 2023.
Adelaide high-performance boss Darren Burgess formerly plied his trade at Melbourne and has an excellent relationship with Oliver, and Morris believes that’s played a part in the club’s interest in the midfielder.
“I'm prepared to say now that Adelaide and Essendon are two clubs that have shown more than just a passing interest in Clayton Oliver. Adelaide and Essendon,” Morris said on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Feed.
“The Crows have a connection with their fitness boss Darren Burgess, who has an excellent relationship with Oliver at Melbourne. Oliver really liked him.
“We know that one of Oliver's biggest gripes with the Demons - whether it's fair or not, it is not for me to decide - is that he feels as if his troubles this year with injuries were mishandled. So that's the Crows.”
As for Essendon, Morris says the club is hoping to accelerate their rebuild and could look to add Oliver on top of potential inclusions Jade Gresham, Todd Goldstein and Ben McKay.
“Essendon is unashamedly ambitious in trying to accelerate its list rebuild,” Morris said.
“Brad Scott and Adrian Dodoro, they want to play finals next year and win finals next year.
“You might say, ‘Well, isn't that the same for every club?’. Every club is different because some clubs look to the draft and they're on a build … Essendon feels like it's got enough young draftees.
“They had three in the top 10 a couple of years ago, that Archie Perkins draft with Nik Cox as well. They're trying to get better now.
“The proof is already in the pudding with Jade Gresham being on their hit list, but also Todd Goldstein and Ben McKay, they're not looking for 18- or 19-year-olds.
“They want to be good right now and they'd love to boost their midfield as well as either end of the field, which they can do with other players as well.”
Another aspect behind Essendon’s interest is that they would likely have the space available to fit Oliver into their salary cap.
While Oliver is contracted for another seven years on premium money, Morris says the club has a war chest to spend on trade and free agency targets.
“The Bombers also have, and I use this term sparingly, a war chest, they have lots of money to spend,” Morris said.
“If you go back and listen to Brad Scott's press conference after the last round, he made no secrets in his desire to turn this list around quickly and do it now.
“Essendon, they don't want to wait. They're not going to just have this patient approach and this slowly, slowly approach.
“They want to be good now.”
The 2023 AFL Trade Period begins on Monday, October 9 and ends on Wednesday, October 18.