Lyon trusts Demons not to rush Oliver

Melbourne great Garry Lyon says there are positive signs that midfield superstar Clayton Oliver is taking positive steps in his return to the game after a challenging period over the off-season.

Lyon, who has been in contact with Oliver, said the midfielder had started to understand the “gravity” of getting every step right in his return to the game. Oliver had spent time away from the club and returned to training late as he dealt with personal challenges.

Clayton Oliver takes place in match simulation against Richmond.

Lyon said the club – who have dealt with the midfielder being hospitalised in a “a medical episode” in October before he was charged with driving on a suspended license in December – had handled the Oliver well. The Demons had also challenged the 26-year-old following the 2023 season when he was briefly linked with a potential trade.

“I’m optimistic, cautiously optimistic” said Lyon, speaking at the Fox Footy and Kayo launch for season 2024.

“I mean, I’m a little bit closer to it so I’m a bit careful about what I say. But I think he’s taking some steps forward, which are really important and I think Melbourne have handled it really well in a really difficult situation, with support from the AFL, which I think is important.

“And I think Clayton, he’s started to understand the gravity of and the importance of getting every little step right. Not just some steps right and then a step back.”

Confirming that he had been in contact with Oliver, Lyon, a Fox commentator, said he could relate to some, though not all, of what Oliver was experiencing. Lyon, a long-time Melbourne skipper and star forward, said Oliver could be Melbourne’s best player in the club’s history if he worked out his issues.

“We wake up – I do anyway, as a Clayton lover and a Melbourne supporter – nervous, but the signs appear to be pretty good.

“I love him, I’ve loved him as footy player and … I can’t relate to everything he’s going through, but I can relate to some of what he’s going through, and I think in his heart he’s a fantastic kid who’s working it all out and I think if he gets it right, the message can be he can be the best player Melbourne’s ever had … I think he’s that good.

“The step back on the weekend [in match simulation] was important. Footy’s still … not the priority at the moment, where I sit anyway. The priority is that he gets all the building blocks in place.

“If that means he plays his first game in round eight, then great because that means that he’s still working it out.

“But I also trust the footy club that if he was to play in round one, or round two, then they must be confident that he’s ticked off the boxes.”

Oliver was one of several questions surrounding the Demons as they attempt to claim a second premiership in four seasons after failing to win a final from top-four positions in 2022 and 2023. Lyon said their talent would get them into September, but the final position would hinge on various factors.

“Where they finish will depend on a few things, not least of all Harrison Petty … If Max [Gawn] falls over, then life’s over for us Demon supporters.

“But if Harrison Petty can stand up and he and [Jacob] van Rooyen and (Bayley) Fritsch can play regularly, then I think there’s enough talent around them. Petracca will play a bit more forward. If Clayton gets back, I think Pickett will play a bit … they could do some damage. But still the connection and the goals are the worry.”

Lyon said recruit and ex-Saint Jack Billings, whose foot skills could potentially improve Melbourne’s problematic inside-50 kicking, had a huge opportunity.

“It’s an issue, and it’s an ongoing issue [kicking to forwards]. It’s why I want to grab Jack Billings by the lapels and shake him and say, ‘Do you know the opportunity in front of you?’ … They’ve got everything that they need and he’s got the tools.”

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