It seems like it could be Max Gawn, Kysaiah Pickett and not much else left at Melbourne in 2026, with premiership star Clayton Oliver given the all clear to explore a trade.
On Thursday morning the 28-year-old was summoned to a 10am meeting with new senior coach Steven King, with the conversation lasting 12 minutes, according to Seven's Mitch Cleary.
It's believed King had told Oliver that he was no longer guaranteed a spot as an inside midfielder, and that the three-time All-Australian should explore his options.
Despite holding Oliver to his contract in the last two trade periods amid heavy speculation about his future, Melbourne are happy to facilitate a move this year, and are willing to pay over his half of contract for the next five seasons to do so, according to SEN's Sam Edmund.
MORE: Christian Petracca trade: What Melbourne wants for star player
"Melbourne is willing to pay as much as $700,000 (just over half) of Oliver's contract per year for the next five years in any trade," Edmund posted on X.
"The Demons today called him to a meeting to sell him a role change, expecting him to reject it. His days as an inside mid at Melbourne are over."
Melbourne is willing to pay as much as $700,000 (just over half) of Oliver's contract per year for the next five years in any trade.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) October 2, 2025
The Demons today called him to a meeting to sell him a role change, expecting him to reject it. His days as an inside mid at Melbourne are over.… https://t.co/7z6tjXUdzo
Oliver is now the fourth Demon whose departure from Melbourne looks imminent.
Christian Petracca has ramped up his pursuit of an exit in recent days, meeting with both the Adelaide Crows and the Gold Coast Suns.
Last month Steven May was also told to explore his options, with Collingwood reportedly a suitor for the 33-year-old.
Meanwhile, young defender Judd McVee is hoping to get back to Fremantle, after requesting a trade on Sunday.
According to Mitch Cleary, Oliver was "shattered" by the latest development regarding his future.
In September, just after the announcement of King as the Dees' new senior coach, Oliver was said to have fallen back in love with the club, after a turbulent couple of years.
“He’s very happy at Melbourne, loves the club and wants to have a great season in 2026,” Oliver’s manager Nick Gieschen of Connors Sports Management told SEN.
“He’s a Melbourne person.”