Clayton Oliver’s teammate says the troubled Melbourne star is doing well and has the club “fully behind him” despite an unplanned early exit from the club’s pre-season training camp.
Oliver joined the Demons on the first day of their camp in Lorne on Monday but returned to Melbourne that night after he also missed training on Saturday.
Demons football boss Alan Richardson confirmed the four-time best and fairest winner would take another break from football following discussions with club staff.
“Clayton is taking a break as he continues to deal with some issues,” Richardson said.
“We are continuing to support Clayton and managing his program in a way that prioritises his health and wellbeing.
“His teammates and staff remain confident he is making good progress.”
New recruit Jack Billings, who said he was enjoying being Oliver’s “locker buddy” after receiving the No.14 guernsey upon arrival, had not spoken to the midfielder since he left the camp but said “he’s been great”.
“He’s good … he’s been obviously going through some personal stuff at the moment,” Billings said.
“Being a new player, I’ve been loving getting to know him.
“The club has been unbelievable with their support to him and everyone’s behind him. I’m looking forward to training with him next year.”
Oliver dealt with personal issues throughout the 2023 season and was the subject of fierce trade rumours when the Demons said he had been found short of club standards of behaviour.
Last Friday, it was revealed the 26-year-old will face court next year after being caught driving without a licence.
Oliver’s licence had been suspended on medical grounds after he suffered a seizure at teammate Joel Smith’s house.
The incident came just before Smith was provisionally suspended by the AFL for a positive test to cocaine taken following the Demons’ round 23 win over Hawthorn.
Billings, 28, said he had no concerns arriving at the club while it was subject to heavy off-field scrutiny over its culture.
He said there was no acknowledgment of the “external noise” among teammates.
“It’s funny – there’s been some external noise, but literally from the moment I’ve come through the doors, it’s been great, and you wouldn’t know unless you saw things (internally), so that’s something I’ve been really impressed by,” Billings said.
“If you came into the club, you wouldn’t know anything about that stuff.”
Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert told the club’s annual general meeting on Tuesday night the Demons had a “very strong and aligned culture”.
“I want to reassure all Melbourne members and supporters … the culture of the Melbourne FC is very strong and very resilient, and it starts with these guys here (the club’s leadership),” Pert said.
“A strong culture is about calling out when individuals aren’t in alignment with the culture, about holding people accountable.
“We will have challenges of people not being in alignment … (but) we’ll continue to drive our cultural programs through our leaders.”
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