Greater Western Sydney believe a change of scenery could be exactly what Clayton Oliver needs to rediscover his best football.
The former Melbourne midfielder, traded to the Giants after being told to explore options by the Demons, is being backed by club CEO David Matthews to find renewed purpose under coach Adam Kingsley.
Oliver, 28, arrives in Sydney after a turbulent stretch at Melbourne marked by off-field struggles and questions over his focus. Despite those issues, the Giants see the move as a fresh start, both for the player and the club’s ambitions.
“He’ll reset and be the player we all admired”
“He’s been one of the outstanding players of his generation,” Matthews told Giants Media. “When Melbourne won the premiership, he was in the top couple of midfielders in the competition. From time to time, many young people run into headwinds, and there’s probably a requirement there for a fresh start from both parties. So, we welcome him with open arms.”
Matthews said the Giants’ strong welfare system and Sydney’s calmer environment would give Oliver the platform to rebuild. “He knows we’ve got an incredible welfare structure and that Sydney’s a great spot to be,” he added. “I think he’ll reset and hopefully be the player that we all admired.”
With Melbourne reportedly subsidising a significant portion of his contract, the Giants have landed one of the AFL’s most gifted midfielders on a cut-price deal, and Matthews is confident the club’s culture will do the rest. “We’ll do everything we can to help him deliver on what he’s capable of,” he said.