Collingwood emerges as shock contender for Clayton Oliver - AFL trade news

Kieran Francis

Collingwood emerges as shock contender for Clayton Oliver - AFL trade news image

Collingwood is interested in making a move for Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver - who has been told he is free to leave the Demons.

The 28-year-old was seen meeting with GWS coach Adam Kingsley and a swag of Giants players about a possible move to the Harbour City for 2026.

Oliver has five years left on his contract but Melbourne is believed to be willing to pay a portion of that commitment to facilitate a trade.

The Magpies are understood to be considering Oliver as a cut-price option to bolster their midfield, reports Callum Twomey,  which was exposed in a preliminary final loss to Brisbane.

MORE: AFL trade news, rumours: St Kilda star makes call on future

In a meeting last week, new Melbourne head coach Steven King told Oliver that he is 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, the Demons 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.

Oliver had an improved 2025 season - averaging 25 possessions, five tackles and five clearances a game after his numbers dipped significantly in 2024.

The star midfielder had a swag of personal issues in 2024 that affected his output on the field and has seen rumours of a trade away from Melbourne emerge.

Oliver is a three-time All-Australian - with his last blazer coming in 2022 - while he also won the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year twice in 2021 and 2022.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.