The Greater Western Sydney Giants have finally tabled Melbourne an offer for star midfielder Clayton Oliver.
After Steven King and the Demons told Oliver to explore his options, there has been slow deliberation between the two clubs in what is far from a run-of-the-mill trade.
Reports from today have stated that the Giants' only offer for Clayton Oliver will be a 2026 third-round pick, as per Jon Ralph of the Herald Sun.
“It will be up to the Demons to work out if they are prepared to pay half of his salary up until 2030,” Ralph said.
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“If so, the Giants are on board with a trade to be finalized tomorrow.”
A future third-round pick for a player of Oliver’s capabilities and resume doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but this is a complicated deal due to his remaining contract.
“The more of Clayton Oliver's salary that Melbourne pays, the better the pick that GWS will have to give up,” reported Tom Morris on AFL Trade radio.
Oliver is three years into his lucrative seven-year extension signed in June 2022, which tied him to Melbourne until the end of 2030.
That deal is reportedly worth close to $1 million per season.
With a back-ended contract, Oliver could reportedly be worth as much as $1.7 million in the last year of his contract.
With only one day left in the trade period, there is plenty left to be worked out between these two sides, but the Giants may just get a star of the competition for a basement price.