Player Watch #13 Clayton Oliver – UNPRECEDENTED 4x B&F, 3x AA, 2x AFLCA Winner and Premiership Player (formerly)

[Scythe94]

OK, I've removed about three pages of posts.

Please do not use this thread to speculate about Oliver's private life – medical or otherwise.

Regardless of the veracity of your rumour, or what you know/have heard, if it's not public knowledge, just don't post it.

I don't want to turn this place into Demonland, but if you can't see the potential harm that this sort of rumour-spreading can cause (regardless of your intentions), then perhaps it's best if you take a bit of a break.

Thanks.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Oliver being out will hopefully force Goody's hand to change things up and realise it doesn't have to be the same old. The opportunity is there for someone to play a bigger role than expected, im excited to see what happens and think it could be good for us long term. Somene like Rivers could give us a completely different dynamic. Rather than hero worshipping Clayton and saying how much we are going to miss him perhaps look at how it could actually be beneficial.

Watch him go with Viney/Trac/Brayshaw first bounce against Sydney.

I got a bad feeling about the start to our season tbh. Next season has the potential to go off the rails if we start the year poorly. Petty's foot. Oliver highly doubtful. Koz suspended. Melksham knee. Haven't really added much of note. Likely a Gawn or May injury away from capitulating. Can see us playing TMac or Brown first game. Bad vibes in general about us preseason. Hard to win up in Sydney. Not saying we can't do it, just that i can see us having a poor start to the year which could permeate through to the rest of the year, like in 2019. I think that first game is pretty important. Not necessarily for momentum, but having the opposite effect. Need some things to go right early days i reckon next season to just settle as our season could honestly go either way.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Brayshaw might creep back into the middle over time. But after everything that's happened recently I don't think he'll be lining up opening round in the guts. But it's Goody and if Brayshaw wants to gun for it, then maybe

I'm not entirely sure how we'll go next season, I've seen good groups of players fall apart from mounting off field issues. It could derail us, we could linger on or we might get better. I'm not entirely hopefully about the upcoming season. But that do be footy, it's a ride you're stuck on good or bad. Still interested to see how it goes

 

[Topkent]

Agree. People fixated on last season and the current pre season Clarry issues. If you think he can never get back to his best then fine you won’t be convinced. But he’s one of the best we’ve seen. In 2021 he was in the conversation of the best player in the comp.
The fact we won quiet a few games without him says a lot about our ability to cover him rather than him not being a valuable player for the team.

Lol yes how weird we are focused on what's happened in the last year, let's pretend it's still 2021 and we haven't gone out in straight sets twice

 

[markm106]

I kinda think Gus will play midfield early. Especially if Oliver not there. Unless they think he hasn’t got the fitness. But he’s been back running for a bit.

 

[schmuttt]

I kinda think Gus will play midfield early. Especially if Oliver not there. Unless they think he hasn’t got the fitness. But he’s been back running for a bit.

Not sure about playing a guy who is potentially one bad concussion from retiring in the guts.

 

[Topkent]

Not sure about playing a guy who is potentially one bad concussion from retiring in the guts.

I prefer him down back but if we have to 'protect' him then he should just retire.

 

[markm106]

Not sure about playing a guy who is potentially one bad concussion from retiring in the guts.

Doesn’t really pose any more or less threat than playing anywhere else?

 

[Crusty Demon]

Not sure about playing a guy who is potentially one bad concussion from retiring in the guts.

Just as likely to cop a head knock in defence running back with the flight. Can't 'hide' him anywhere. If he's fit to play, then he plays in a position we need him to play in, not based on the higher chance of him copping a head knock. I think he'll play in the centre until Oliver is fit. Not sure if that's for the best or not, but i think that's where he'll play. He played ok in there tbh when Oliver was out last season.

 

[schmuttt]

I guess I just selfishly want him in defence and would rather push Rivers up the ground.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Watch him go with Viney/Trac/Brayshaw first bounce against Sydney.

I got a bad feeling about the start to our season tbh. Next season has the potential to go off the rails if we start the year poorly. Petty's foot. Oliver highly doubtful. Koz suspended. Melksham knee. Haven't really added much of note. Likely a Gawn or May injury away from capitulating. Can see us playing TMac or Brown first game. Bad vibes in general about us preseason. Hard to win up in Sydney. Not saying we can't do it, just that i can see us having a poor start to the year which could permeate through to the rest of the year, like in 2019. I think that first game is pretty important. Not necessarily for momentum, but having the opposite effect. Need some things to go right early days i reckon next season to just settle as our season could honestly go either way.

I agree that next year isn't looking like our year, but Oliver missing isn't going to be what kills us, just like it didn't last year. It will be a combination of things.

Forced change is better than no change. I'll choose to live in hope for the time being. Hope of unearthing some players with increased playing time and opportunity, hope of our game style being more attractive with players playing some different roles.

If Goody rolls with Trac, Viney and Brayshaw playing 80% + of centre bounces ill be just as disappointed as you.

It feels very much like a make or break year for Goody, the results could be better than we expect with players we don't expect stepping up or the place could fall apart. It will be interesting one way or the other!

 

[Toump Ass]

I got a bad feeling about the start to our season tbh.

Our fixture is pretty tough from memory, which could be a good thing if we come out firing.
Sydney are pretty slow starters I think? Could help us snag a win in Round 1 at least.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Our fixture is pretty tough from memory, which could be a good thing if we come out firing.
Sydney are pretty slow starters I think? Could help us snag a win in Round 1 at least.

Swans only won their first two games last season by a combined 130pts. If that's a slow start then I'd hate to see a fast one

 

[Bluelegs]

I agree that next year isn't looking like our year, but Oliver missing isn't going to be what kills us, just like it didn't last year. It will be a combination of things.

Forced change is better than no change. I'll choose to live in hope for the time being. Hope of unearthing some players with increased playing time and opportunity, hope of our game style being more attractive with players playing some different roles.

If Goody rolls with Trac, Viney and Brayshaw playing 80% + of centre bounces ill be just as disappointed as you.

It feels very much like a make or break year for Goody, the results could be better than we expect with players we don't expect stepping up or the place could fall apart. It will be interesting one way or the other!

I'm not sure about this. Even if we're crap I reckon the admin back him in. They'd be shit scared of sacking the drought-breaking premiership coach regardless of results. Short of a massive scandal (re: drugs etc) I've come to accept that for better or worse this era belongs to Goodwin and we probably won't see another coach until we go the rebuild.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

I'm not sure about this. Even if we're crap I reckon the admin back him in. They'd be s**t scared of sacking the drought-breaking premiership coach regardless of results. Short of a massive scandal (re: drugs etc) I've come to accept that for better or worse this era belongs to Goodwin and we probably won't see another coach until we go the rebuild.

Im not suggesting hell get sacked, more that it has the potential to go south fast. He'll more than likely get next year regardless if we crash hard this year. 2 years in a row though and its a decent possibility its time for change

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

What would be the worst result for you as a fan? Id much prefer to miss the 8 all together than finish top 4 and go out straight sets again personally.

What would be a result youre happy with short of a premiership? Unearthing some new best 22's, playing more attractive football, win at least one final. Do that and id be satisfied.

 

[Topkent]

I'm not sure about this. Even if we're crap I reckon the admin back him in. They'd be s**t scared of sacking the drought-breaking premiership coach regardless of results. Short of a massive scandal (re: drugs etc) I've come to accept that for better or worse this era belongs to Goodwin and we probably won't see another coach until we go the rebuild.

Maybe. But if we don't win another final this year I'd say going from a flag to not winning finals for 3 years is a sackable offence.

 

[Demon Attack]

What would be the worst result for you as a fan? Id much prefer to miss the 8 all together than finish top 4 and go out straight sets again personally.

What would be a result youre happy with short of a premiership? Unearthing some new best 22's, playing more attractive football, win at least one final. Do that and id be satisfied.

Worst result: top 4, straight sets, Goody not sacked.

Happy with: make a prelim, play some fun footy, 4 AAs.

 

[Bluelegs]

Maybe. But if we don't win another final this year I'd say going from a flag to not winning finals for 3 years is a sackable offence.

Sure but look at Beveridge. After the flag didn't win another final until 2021.

Just don't think our current admin would pull the trigger.

 

[Topkent]

Sure but look at Beveridge. After the flag didn't win another final until 2021.

Just don't think our current admin would pull the trigger.

That's crazy. Missing finals seems better than going out in straight sets to me I guess.

You're probably right, but what a waste kinda funny after all the Dynasty wanking for us

 

[Bluelegs]

That's crazy. Missing finals seems better than going out in straight sets to me I guess.

You're probably right, but what a waste kinda funny after all the Dynasty wanking for us

Yeah the only difference is expectation. Bevo was the underdog who pulled a flag out of his arse. Goodwin was seen to have the next threepeat on his hands. Was always OTT but I suspect history will be kinder to Beveridge if Goodwin doesn't get another flag.

 

[Topkent]

Yeah the only difference is expectation. Bevo was the underdog who pulled a flag out of his arse. Goodwin was seen to have the next threepeat on his hands. Was always OTT but I suspect history will be kinder to Beveridge if Goodwin doesn't get another flag.

I already find Goodwin overrated.
Been in charge of a list that was built by Roos and primed for finals.
He's then only won finals in 2 of 7 seasons in charge.
Both years we won a final we regressed ( although hard to improve on a flag but still couldn't even make the last 4)
Not exactly superstar coach material

 

[Topkent]

Worst result: top 4, straight sets, Goody not sacked.

Happy with: make a prelim, play some fun footy, 4 AAs.

I just wanna enjoy bloody watching us again. Who would have thought a Melbourne team making back to back top 4s would be so unejoyable to sit through

 

[Bangkok Knights]

Reading the last dozen posts is about as depressing as one can get.
Alot of you guys have already written us off in '24 and its only Jan.FFS
Petty is back training as is Brayshaw all the players except Oliver look pumped.
Melksham could be back earlier than expected but he is replaceable.
The first 5 games are crucial. Must beat the Swans and get off to a flying start.
Im just worried that Grundy and even JJ might play blinders against us. OOPS

 

[Topkent]

Reading the last dozen posts is about as depressing as one can get.
Alot of you guys have already written us off in '24 and its only Jan.FFS
Petty is back training as is Brayshaw all the players except Oliver look pumped.
Melksham could be back earlier than expected but he is replaceable.
The first 5 games are crucial. Must beat the Swans and get off to a flying start.
Im just worried that Grundy and even JJ might play blinders against us. OOPS

Lol how can you have a go at people writing us off and then in the same post say we have to beat the swans.

 

[Johnny Karate]

Yeah the only difference is expectation. Bevo was the underdog who pulled a flag out of his arse. Goodwin was seen to have the next threepeat on his hands. Was always OTT but I suspect history will be kinder to Beveridge if Goodwin doesn't get another flag.

We’re getting off topic, but, it’s the straight sets that’s bloody awful. If we were talking back to back prelims after a flag the scrutiny wouldn’t be as intense.