Melbourne star Clayton Oliver has not returned to AFL pre-season coaching along with his teammates and is as an alternative taking prolonged depart as he offers with private points.
Four-time best-and-fairest winner Oliver has battled accidents and medical points in latest months, and has confronted questions over his off-field behaviour.
Oliver left Melbourne’s December coaching camp in Lorne early to take care of medical points, and when his teammates returned to coaching at Casey Fields on Thursday he didn’t be a part of them.
“Clayton has personal issues that he has been dealing with,” soccer boss Alan Richardson mentioned in an announcement.
“Clayton has been working extremely closely with his personal medical team, and with the support of key club staff, in order to manage these challenges.
“The club fully supports Clayton taking this important time out, which will allow him to focus on these challenges.
“Our primary focus is Clayton’s overall wellbeing, and we will continue to support him through this period.
“It’s important for Clayton that we respect his privacy and his need for time and space.”
Oliver’s professionalism was repeatedly questioned in 2023 amid doubts over his future at Melbourne.
The triple All-Australian was restricted to fifteen video games final season due to a drawn-out hamstring harm however returned earlier than finals, when the Demons made a second consecutive straight-sets exit.
Oliver was later the topic of intense commerce hypothesis, with Adelaide among the many golf equipment , regardless of being beneath contract till 2030 after signing a large seven-year extension.
Melbourne finally didn’t put him on the commerce desk.
Coach Simon Goodwin mentioned in October he had by no means thought of buying and selling Oliver, however he and chief government Gary Pert each made it clear the midfielder wanted to stick to the Demons’ requirements.
The Demons’ tradition has been beneath fireplace amid Oliver’s troubles, plus utility Joel Smith’s provisional suspension for recording a constructive in-season medication take a look at to cocaine.
Oliver additionally mentioned he didn’t need to depart the AFL membership, the place he was a star of their 2021 premiership, however had been ready to depart if Melbourne now not needed him.
In an interview on October 31, the 26-year-old additionally dedicated to knuckling down and assembly Melbourne’s requirements.
Oliver was pulled over by police on November 16 and charged with driving with a suspended licence.
He has been unable to drive on medical grounds since he was hospitalised following a seizure on October 12, which he partially attributed to negative effects of his ADHD remedy.
Oliver is because of face court docket on February 6.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
