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.

 

[SugarHealey]

Sarcasm is very hard to read. Either way i lay blame at the club for the contract. Clarry was fantastic in 2022, rubbish in 2023. I'll judge him at the end of season not 4 months prior lol

The contract is not the issue... if player X continues on with the same hard earned attitude he played with prior to contract.

The big issue is the change in attitude.. to being poor in his professionalism, to teammates, and all and sundry of this club.
He's let everyone down.

 

[SugarHealey]

Was there any criticism of Clarry’s contract at the time of signing?

At that stage he was on track to be our greatest ever player. You expect behavioural issues to decrease as players mature.

If you had been alive to watch Robbie Flower you would not say that.
Gary Lyon and David Schwartz and David Neitz easily better footballers, than Oli was or has been.

 

[Demon Attack]

He has definitely had a better career than Ox already, and you could argue he has been better than Gaz too. Neita not yet needs a few more peak years.

 

[schmuttt]

He has definitely had a better career than Ox already, and you could argue he has been better than Gaz too. Neita not yet needs a few more peak years.

Wonder if we are going to see his career stall and Tracs continue to get stronger - a reversal of their first five years in the system where Clarry was borderline elite as early as year two, but Trac wasn't in the conversation until his sixth season.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Wonder if we are going to see his career stall and Tracs continue to get stronger - a reversal of their first five years in the system where Clarry was borderline elite as early as year two, but Trac wasn't in the conversation until his sixth season.

Funnily enough it wasn't until Trac took fitness seriously that he took off.

Its almost like staying fit = better results.

 

[schmuttt]

Funnily enough it wasn't until Trac took fitness seriously that he took off.

Its almost like staying fit = better results.

Its why I'm so worried about that Viney contract lol, guy prepares as well as anyone and he looked cooked for 70% of this season. We've got him for four more years

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Its why I'm so worried about that Viney contract lol, guy prepares as well as anyone and he looked cooked for 70% of this season. We've got him for four more years

"He won the the BNF mate, should have given him 6 years". - demonland probably.

 

[schmuttt]

"He won the the BNF mate, should have given him 6 years". - demonland probably.

Was 100% a PR move to rush it with the stink around Trac and Oliver. Still doesn't make sense to me that we kept both Viney and Oliver but I guess I shouldn't be surprised by stupid decisions like this.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Was 100% a PR move to rush it with the stink around Trac and Oliver. Still doesn't make sense to me that we kept both Viney and Oliver but I guess I shouldn't be surprised by stupid decisions like this.

They knew we weren't going to be able to land anyone in FA. Waste the money in house instead.

 

[Demon Attack]

Viney contract is an absolute shocker and the B&F was rigged, probably to justify it.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Viney contract is probably a year too long, but i have no problem giving a bloke who puts in every single game and trains as hard as anyone a little extra. He probably got an extra year due to the issues we were going through publicly, but i have more concerns over nearly every other contract before his tbh. Still showed he's capable of getting BOG's and looks as fit as ever. Can see him playing a more forward role moving forward. Wish we had more like him.

 

[Young Redleg]

Wonder if we are going to see his career stall and Tracs continue to get stronger - a reversal of their first five years in the system where Clarry was borderline elite as early as year two, but Trac wasn't in the conversation until his sixth season.

I think that's the reason why many of our nuffie supporters (especially on demonland) run with this notion that he's our best player of the modern era. He hit his straps very early while Trac wasn't a serious player until 2020 and Gawn wasn't even a regular until he was 24.

 

[TheBoss]

Todd Viney used his position at Norf to finesse the Dees in giving his soon too many years and too much money.

Tim Lamb got played.

 

[schmuttt]

I think that's the reason why many of our nuffie supporters (especially on demonland) run with this notion that he's our best player of the modern era. He hit his straps very early while Trac wasn't a serious player until 2020 and Gawn wasn't even a regular until he was 24.

Yep.

Trac at his best is probably the best player in the league, but he is stifled by this clown gameplan and coaching setup. Oliver was elite for years but his best isn't better than Trac.

 

[markm106]

It would be hard to argue peak Oliver is better than peak Trac. Players who can impact forward of centre are hugely important these days. Langford looks like one of those guys to which is exciting.

 

[GoDees69]

Yep.

Trac at his best is probably the best player in the league, but he is stifled by this clown gameplan and coaching setup. Oliver was elite for years but his best isn't better than Trac.

Petracca has much more versatility, scores goals and has very high numbers in goal assists. Oliver has never had that. It would be nice to get back to 2021 when both were not only in form but played well together, with Oliver digging the ball out and Petracca to get it moving forward. That was ideal but I think it is an extremely low percentage chance we see that again. Oliver has too far to catch up his form and whatever sent him off the rails isn’t necessarily going to be a one-off. And unless we can successfully hypnotise everyone, I’d say the team dynamic is sketchy at best.

 

[dazzledavey36]

Jack Viney winning the BnF over Gawn was an absolute joke for starters.

Should have offered him 2 year deal max and left it at that.

Poor Langford will be playing forward pocket for the next 5 years because other then being an inside midfielder, he literally cannot play anywhere else, and we know for starters that Goody will refuse to phase him out from there anyhow..

 

[GoDees69]

Jack Viney winning the BnF over Gawn was an absolute joke for starters.

Should have offered him 2 year deal max and left it at that.

Poor Langford will be playing forward pocket for the next 5 years because other then being an inside midfielder, he literally cannot play anywhere else, and we know for starters that Goody will refuse to phase him out from there anyhow..

2025 is going to be interesting.

Goodwin’s biggest backers are gone - and they pretty much hooked their fortunes on him because their egos wouldn’t accept a mistake.

You would imagine Goodwin has been told he has to get cracking on a new look for the game plan or he is out.

Balanced against this is the other issues of a clearly unsatisfied Petracca, who wants finals, crowds and exposure. I expect he is looking for a new home regardless, but he doesn’t look like a guy tolerant for a rebuild.

The whole thing is a mess. Get a new dynamic and some excitement in the game but finish out of finals - plenty on here including me would like to see us embrace it.

Double down and get into finals as an also ran, there seem plenty of people on Demonland who favour that option.

I’ll be interested to see which way we go.

 

[Crusty Demon]

2025 is going to be interesting.

Goodwin’s biggest backers are gone - and they pretty much hooked their fortunes on him because their egos wouldn’t accept a mistake.

You would imagine Goodwin has been told he has to get cracking on a new look for the game plan or he is out.

Balanced against this is the other issues of a clearly unsatisfied Petracca, who wants finals, crowds and exposure. I expect he is looking for a new home regardless, but he doesn’t look like a guy tolerant for a rebuild.

The whole thing is a mess. Get a new dynamic and some excitement in the game but finish out of finals - plenty on here including me would like to see us embrace it.

Double down and get into finals as an also ran, there seem plenty of people on Demonland who favour that option.

I’ll be interested to see which way we go.

Finals should always be our goal. Can't believe some people think it shouldn't be. We don't even have a 1st round pick next year, so there's no incentive to fail badly. A fit Trac, Gawn, May, Lever, Fritta, Koz, Langdon, JVR, Riv, McVee, Viney and yes Oliver with a decent enough young talent should be pushing finals at the least. Hopefully the way we get there is by playing some more attacking footy too.

 

[GoDees69]

Finals should always be our goal. Can't believe some people think it shouldn't be. We don't even have a 1st round pick next year, so there's no incentive to fail badly. A fit Trac, Gawn, May, Lever, Fritta, Koz, Langdon, JVR, Riv, McVee, Viney and yes Oliver with a decent enough young talent should be pushing finals at the least. Hopefully the way we get there is by playing some more attacking footy too.

Both would be ideal.

I would like to see some change in attack, and some debuts, rather than playing the same group and hoping they achieve a miracle by recovering 2021 form simultaneously.

2021 is behind us though. My hope (certainly wrong because I always am) is that the changes to administration free up the coaching group who show that they weren’t out of ideas, they were just shut down owing to the “cheer louder” and boost memberships drive.

Worth hoping for I think. I get no joy from seeing the team fail. You feel so much for the players. Even the coach.

 

[TheBoss]

I don't think the gameplan will drastically change.

For one, we don't have the cattle to play a fast, attacking style.

Secondly, our new assistants are Goodwin's mates. Chunk or Bassett won't challenge him.

Still, I'd love to see a 2025 flag purely to screw the Bummers fans that are deathriding us.

 

[Topkent]

I don't think the gameplan will drastically change.

For one, we don't have the cattle to play a fast, attacking style.

Secondly, our new assistants are Goodwin's mates. Chunk or Bassett won't challenge him.

Still, I'd love to see a 2025 flag purely to screw the Bummers fans that are deathriding us.

Wrong

 

[Capt_Concussion]

Wrong

Rivers, McVee, and Kozzie more midfield minutes with only one of Oliver and Viney in there at a time and Trac primarily as a half forward.

Howes and AMW replace the first two down back.

If love to just not have Oliver in the side at all until he can increase fitness and demonstrate VFL form, but that'll never happen.

On Pixel 7a using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Topkent]

Rivers, McVee, and Kozzie more midfield minutes with only one of Oliver and Viney in there at a time and Trac primarily as a half forward.

Howes and AMW replace the first two down back.

If love to just not have Oliver in the side at all until he can increase fitness and demonstrate VFL form, but that'll never happen.

On Pixel 7a using BigFooty.com mobile app

I agree moving all of those players in helps, but it's a mind set thing. It's not really personnel

 

[Capt_Concussion]

I agree moving all of those players in helps, but it's a mind set thing. It's not really personnel

Agree about the mindset. The three amigos are old dogs and aren't going to change too much.

McVee, Rivers and Kozzie have shown they already want to run and attack. They have the mindset, they need the greenlight from the coach though, and a dynamic forward line which can create forward targets.

On Pixel 7a using BigFooty.com mobile app