Melbourne is reportedly readying itself to shut down any potential trade for star midfielder Clayton Oliver, despite increasing belief that he wants to head to Geelong.
Following a turbulent 12 months amid off-field drama and behavioural issues, Oliver, for the second successive year, has been linked to a move away from the club.
However, complicating any deal is the current contract he's on, sitting with six years and roughly $8 million attached to his name.
As it's been reported, the Demons shopped around Oliver, with the Cats putting their case forward through a meeting with Rhys Stanley and Tom Stewart.
However, according to SEN's Sam Edmund, the move is about "to get shut completely down".
"We're talking on Friday morning, but I think there is a very real chance, in fact it's the most likely outcome, that at the best and fairest tonight Melbourne are going to get up and shut this down completely," Edmund told AFL Trade Radio.
"They've had a look and they've done some tyre kicking for the second year in a row, and Clayton has as well, but such is the difficulty of the contract and the ability to get fair compensation, it just doesn't make it possible or acceptable.
"I think the feeling is internally that they can fall back in love again with the player and the player with them.
"There's been a lot of meetings on this. All day today and all day yesterday and having the same conversations we've been having.
"Ultimately, they've settled on the fact that Oliver will be going nowhere and they think they can make it work."