Melbourne star midfielder Clayton Oliver was back to his accumulative best at pre-season training on Monday, dominating the contest and racking up plenty of possessions.
The 27-year-old had a down year in 2024, recording near-career lows in all major statistical categories, including a steep decline in disposal, contested possession, and clearance figures.
Oliver was also rumoured to seek an exit out of Melbourne for a move to Geelong, however the trade was never feasible and the midfielder returned to the Demons this pre-season. The off-season controversy hasn't seemed to phase Oliver however, as he continues to make amends for an interrupted 2023-24 pre-season.
Early in the Demons' preparation for 2025, Oliver looks in fine touch, first to the drop of the ball on multiple occasions and earning a disposal or two on almost every run-through.
He also provided explosive runs as an outside option where necessary, which would lead to setting up teammates for shots on goal at Gosch's Paddock.
The Demons' first draft pick of 2024, Harvey Langford, also impressed in match simulation drills, including two perfectly-read roves off of Max Gawn's rucking, before bursting from the stoppage without a finger laid on him and kicking a penetrating punt inside 50.
Christian Petracca played through the match sim at a breezy tempo but didn't look off the mark at all as he reintegrated back after a tumultuous period for his health and position at the club.
As the league's premier ruckman, Gawn displayed his accurate tap work but was brought down a peg by St Kilda trade recruit Tom Campbell, who held his own well in match simulation.
2023 father-son selection Kynan Brown was one of the hardest workers in the session, running right up the wing and circling back into the forward line to earn his possessions in the near-40-degree heat.
Category B rookie Ricky Mentha also provided run and carry along the wing and in the forward line, whilst Kysaiah Pickett continued to trial time in the midfield after increasing his minutes in the centre last season.
Earlier on in the session, Pickett was a lively threat in the forward line, while Jake Melksham was making his impact with plenty of touches inside the forward half. Jacob van Rooyen was a key target and held a couple of tough marks despite the wild wind and humid conditions.
Training addition Roy George placed a couple of pinpoint kicks off the back of his electric pace and agile moves.
Brisbane trade recruit Harry Sharp was a slight touch off the pace, albeit the windy conditions were hardly favourable, but the 21-year-old did display some exciting efforts on the wing.
Mature-aged draftee Aidan Johnson did not participate in match sim, instead working on his set shots with Mentha, who subbed out of the simulation about halfway through to join Johnson.
Jake Lever, Xavier Lindsay, Charlie Spargo, Tom Fullartonย and Daniel Turner all spent most, if not all, of the session working on independent programs - the latter two running laps for the bulk of training.
Lindsay and Spargo spent time working on grappling, while Lever worked on some defensive maneuvers and agility drills.
