Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has departed the Demons' pre-season camp in regional Victoria early due to personal health matters.
The Demons are training in Lorne this week as part of their summer program before concluding their pre-season plans ahead of the new year.
As revealed by 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary, Oliver's interrupted year has continued as the star onballer needed to leave the camp and return home early due to "personal medical challenges".
In an update on Oliver's situation, Melbourne football chief Alan Richardson confirmed the star player has required time away from the club.
"Clayton is taking a break as he continues to deal with some issues," Richarson told media.
"We are continuing to support Clayton and managing his program in a way that prioritises his health and wellbeing.
"His teammates and staff remain confident he is making good progress."
Oliver recently suffered a seizure in the off-season that left the 26-year-old in hospital, with a lack of sleep, strenuous exercise and ADHD medication contributing to the medical episode.
“I take medication for my ADHD. I've been talking to my doctors about that for a while," Oliver told 7 News in October.
"[I've] sort of been light-headed and [suffering from a] high heartrate; that sort of affects me a fair bit. I sort of fainted that day off the wattbike."
Cleary has reported Oliver could miss the start of the 2024 season after stepping away from the football program.
"There's no definitive timeline on Oliver's return to the club, with growing concern he'll miss the start of the 2024 season," Cleary said on Wednesday night.
Oliver is looking to return in 2024 following a difficult campaign and subsequent off-season, with a hamstring injury keeping the four-time best and fairest winner out of action for an extended period in the middle of the year.
The midfielder's name would arise in trade discussions during the recent player movement period before Melbourne denied any thought of a trade, noting Oliver will remain a Demon and will need to improve his behavioural standards.