Melbourne's hierarchical leaders have reportedly met and discussed the future of maligned midfielder Clayton Oliver, whose Demons future currently hangs in the balance.

The prolific midfielder, who played an integral role in Melbourne's drought-breaking premiership triumph in 2021, has been engulfed in trade conjecture this week.

While Oliver's current contract ties him to Melbourne until at least 2030, speculation across recent days suggests his time as a Demon could be coming to an end, with club bosses understood to be unhappy with the onballer's lack of professionalism and respect for staff members over the course of the past season.

However, despite the heating up of movement talks in recent days, they appear set to cool down in the ones following, with Sevenย Chief Football Reporter Mitch Cleary stating on Thursday night that, following a Melbourne board meeting, chances of a trade have deflated somewhat.

"Those board discussions from a Melbourne sense have really taken the heat out of Oliver needing to be traded," Cleary reported on Thursday evening.

"Now, the ball is firmly in his (Oliver's) court as to whether he wants to remain a Demon. Does he fully commit to the demands set out for greater professionalism and attitude by the club after he was hit between the eyes in recent days? Or, does he continue to make noises of a trade elsewhere?

"Rival clubs, including Adelaide, [are] still monitoring the situation, waiting for any sign of movement. For now, [is] Oliver happy to see out his seven years remaining in red and blue."

Regardless of whether or not Oliver ultimately departs this off-season, Melbourne still figures to have plenty of off-season dealings to navigate.

Ruckman Brodie Grundy appears a certainty to find his way to the Harbour City, midfielder James Harmes' Demons future is up in the air, while wantaway Crow Shane McAdam is desperate to become a Demon this year.

Meantime, despite reported rival interest, the Dees desire the ongoing services of forward Harrison Petty and defending utility Adam Tomlinson.

SEE ALSO: TRADE NEWS & RUMOURS

This year's exchange space opens on Monday, October 9.