3 days ago
Melbourne Demons star Clayton Oliver targeted by thieves in home invasion ahead of 200th AFL game milestone
Clayton Oliver has been left shaken after his home was broken into just days before his 200th AFL appearance.
The Melbourne star was the victim of a home invasion earlier this week, confirmed by the Demons on Friday night.
While the club wouldn't say whether anything was taken or if Oliver was inside at the time, the incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a career highlight.
Despite the unsettling break-in, the 27-year-old trained as usual and will still run out for his milestone match against Carlton on Saturday night.
The burglary is an unwelcome disruption in a period already marked by off-field challenges for the three-time All-Australian.
Oliver has endured a string of personal struggles in recent years, including a failed attempt to leave the club at the end of last season.
That trade request to Geelong was denied by Melbourne, who held firm on his long-term contract.
He spent extended periods away from the club in 2023 to deal with physical and mental health issues.
Persistent hamstring injuries disrupted his season and limited his on-field impact.
There were reports of tension between Oliver and Melbourne's coaching staff, sparking speculation about his future at the club.
Off-field concerns emerged, including questions around his wellbeing and professionalism.
At the end of the 2023 season, he requested a trade to Geelong in search of a fresh start.
Melbourne refused, citing their commitment to his lucrative long-term contract.
It came at a time with there were strong rumours that star teammate Christian Petracca was also looking to exit the Demons.
Now Oliver's premiership teammate Bailey Fritsch has been linked to a move in the trade period.
'We're in a mindset of getting better and at the end of the year we'll sit down and work through what all that looks like,' coach Simon Goodwin told reporters on Thursday.
'We feel as a footy club we're very stable, both off the field and now on the field, from 12 months ago.
'So we feel like we're in a really, really strong position to make some really strong and good decisions moving forward about how we get to where we want to as quick as we can.'
