Melbourne star ruled out for the remainder of the season

Melbourne Demons star midfielder Clayton Oliver has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season following surgery on a lingering hand injury.

According to 9 News' Tom Morris, the surgery comes in conjunction with a PCL injury and sore ribs that occurred in Melbourne's three-point loss to Port Adelaide last Saturday.

Oliver has had lingering issues with his hand since March this year, with the Demon sent for scans during training before Round 3. Oliver eventually had surgery on the dislocated finger after Melbourne's 22-point loss to Brisbane in Round 5, however it has continued to plague his performances this year.

Following an off-season of controversy, Oliver has suffered a decline in form throughout 2024. The four-time Melbourne best-and-fairest winner has drastically decreased his output, averaging just 23.2 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions and four tackles this season - his lowest figures since his debut season.

Oliver was involved in a litany of off-field drama and speculation over the previous summer. In October, Clayton Oliver reportedly was open to seeking a move to the Adelaide Crows, allegedly disgruntled with the handling of his 2023 injuries.

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The 27-year-old also suffered mental health concerns, with an admission to hospital in October, as well as departing a Christmastime training camp early. Additionally, Oliver was caught driving whilst on a suspended licence in December, and by January took extended leave from the club.

Despite an inconsistent pre-season, Oliver was available for selection for Opening Round against Sydney, and has played in all 21 games this season.

Oliver's injuries adds salt to the wound for Melbourne's midfield, as Christian Petracca continues to sit on the sidelines from his ribs and spleen injury suffered against Collingwood in the King's Birthday clash.

Petracca and Oliver have both been speculated to request trades from the Demons this offseason, however the club has affirmed their desire for their midfield stars to see out their contracts.

According to Tom Morris of 9 News, Simon Goodwin categorically believes Oliver will be at the club next year, whilst CEO Gary Pert denied Petracca's potential to move in a letter to members on Tuesday.

Melbourne's finals aspirations were dashed on Saturday in the loss to Port Adelaide, missing the top eight for the first time since 2020. The Demons suffered back-to-back straight sets exits in 2022 and 2023 after winning the premiership in 2021.

The club's injury list also consists of Caleb Windsor, Charlie Spargo and Christian Petracca, all of whom will not return this season, while veteran back Steven May hopes to return this weekend from his rib concern.

Club High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith shared details on the club's crop of injured players, starting with Clayton Oliver following Saturday's loss to Port Adelaide.

“Following the game, Clayton reported some rib soreness and knee soreness,” Griffith said. 

“The following day, we had some scans on his knee and his ribs and that's shown that he has a low-grade PCL to one of his knees that he sustained in the game, with a player falling across his leg. 

“He's also sustained three rib fractures in an incident during the game as well. 

“It's an unfortunate result for Clayton given we're coming towards the end of the season. He's been managing his body throughout the year really well and has been super professional about how he's gone about getting himself right every week.” 

Clayton Oliver will miss the final two games of the AFL home-and-away season.

Full injury update 📝 | https://t.co/HYb9G2lkyw pic.twitter.com/rjq0pC5LuK

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) August 14, 2024

Griffith was able to share more welcome news with Steven May's potential return, though amid growing calls to rest their veterans with finals out of the picture, his return may not be received well externally.

“Steven's progressing well,” Griffith said.  

“He trained with the VFL guys on Friday, so he'll look to integrate into training tomorrow, and then we'll make a decision on his availability following training.”  

Further updates were provided on Windsor and Spargo, who should both get a full preseason under their belt upon recovery.

“Caleb's been progressing really well,” Griffith said.  

“He's been super professional in and around his rehab and his strength work.  

“He's progressed out of the boot, and we're just looking at continuing to progress him over the following weeks from a loading perspective and looking like he could hopefully get to run in the next couple of weeks. 

“It's unlikely we'll see him play again this year, just based on trying to give him the best opportunity to recover fully from this injury.” 

“Charlie's recovered well from that [surgery],” he added.

“He's progressing through some strength markers at the moment.  

“He'll have a really strong block of that over the next three to four weeks, which will lead into his return to run. 

“This will allow him to integrate into our off-season program and look to have him back, stronger and fitter for the start of 2024 - 2025 pre-season.”