Under-fire Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has blamed ADHD medication, stress, a lack of sleep and strenuous exercise for his hospital visit earlier this month.
Reports that suggested Oliver was a sub-optimal preparer and engaged in questionable off-field activities arose ahead of the trade period, seeing the star Demon raised as a shock trade option.
However, after engaging in "robust conversations" with head coach Simon Goodwin, Demons footy boss Alan Richardson and his own management, Oliver remained a Demon, with the oldest club in the land knocking back what were considered to be genuine offers for the Mooroopna native's services.
Yet, before the exchange period had come to a close, Oliver was admitted to Footscray Hospital on October 11 after the 26-year-old underwent a CT Scan and an X-ray on the premises.
While the club has remained tight-lipped on the details of the incident, Oliver spoke exclusively to 7News on Tuesday, claiming it was a mixture of above-board elements that saw him require medical attention.
AFL superstar Clayton Oliver has blamed a combination of ADHD medication and stress for a mystery hospital admission. In an exclusive interview, the Demons midfielder told 7NEWS he was admitted after he collapsed. He opened up as his club and coach went on the offensive over drugโฆ pic.twitter.com/tN30pUfpQJ
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) October 31, 2023
โIt's been a little bit stressful. It usually doesn't get to me,โ Oliver said.
The three-time All-Australian claimed that he had suffered a head knock after exercising on a stationary bike.
โI take medication for my ADHD. I've been talking to my doctors about that for a while. [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," he added.
Oliver also stated that he had collapsed that very same night at the residence of teammate, Joel Smith.
โI was in bed, sleeping at Joel's, and got up to get a drink, and then the next thing I know, I was on the ground," he said.
Smith has since tested positive for cocaine, with the father-son draftee producing a dirty sample after being tested in-season.
Oliver revealed he would've been open to a trade had the Demons pushed for a move, but the star Demon has always wanted to remain in the red and blue.
"If they didn't want me (I would've been open to a trade)," Oliver said.
"Obviously I didn't want to leave. I love the boys and I love the club. I love 'Goody', he's always looked after me and had my back."
While Oliver has since been put on notice for his behaviour by the club, with powerbrokers expressing the four-time best and fairest winner needed to meet minimum internal standards, a frustrated Goodwin told SEN radio that he had not spoken to Smith.
Smith is expected to be banned for three months after post-season reporting stated that the 27-year-old had failed his urine test following Melbourne's Round 23 clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.
