2017 Player Reviews: # 13 Clayton Oliver

[Demonland 64,648]

THE REAL THING

Barely out of his teenage years, Oliver had a sensational 2017 amassing 659 disposals in a season highlighted by his consistency in his clearance work and ability to win the contested ball. Oliver played in every game and many observers were surprised that he missed out on an All Australian nomination in just his second year in the game.

Although not noted for going forward and kicking goals, Oliver kicked one of the goals of the year when he scored from the boundary at Adelaide Oval.

Date of Birth: 22 July, 1997

Height: 187cm

Weight: 88kg

Games MFC 2017: 22

Career Total: 35

Goals MFC 2017: 4

Career Total: 10

 

Season 2017 AFL Statistics

Kicks: 177

Handballs: 482 

Disposals: 659

Marks: 68

Scores: 4 goals 3 behinds

Goal Assists: 14

Tackles: 152

Hitouts: 1

Clearances: 146

Clangers: 76

Inside 50s: 65

Rebound 50s: 34

Frees For: 20

Frees Against: 40

[FlashInThePan 1,893]

Clarry has really had a great year. If he can increase his kick to handball ratio he will be even more damaging. 

I'm just imagining what a midfield of clarry, Trac, viney and gussy will look like when they all have 100 games under their belts.  

Bring it on! 

[Lord Travis 10,157]

Best second year by any player in my lifetime. Broke the record for most disposals in a season by any player at the Melbourne Football Club. That in itself is a remarkable achievement, let some for someone who entered the season as a 19 year old with under 15 games to his name.

Brilliant season by Clarry and can’t wait to see him develop further, utilize his good kicking more and become a true star of the game!

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 754]

So consistent, I was waiting for a toward the end of year drop off but he maintained his possession numbers although I don't think he was releasing players as well. Made some gobsmacking ly good plays and should go alright in the b&f I'd reckon.

[beelzebub 22,225]

Oh Clarry Boy, the Dees , the Dees are calling

From game to game, and on towards the springtime fight

The Winter’s gone and all the others fallen

It’s you , and yours that must make  our  future right

 

And come ye back in summer, at the meadow

Come before the fans hushed glow

It’s I’ll be there in sunshine or the shadow

Oh Clarry Boy, Oh Clarry  we love you so  !!

[beelzebub 22,225]

1 hour ago, Lord Travis said:

Best second year by any player in my lifetime. Broke the record for most disposals in a season by any player at the Melbourne Football Club. That in itself is a remarkable achievement, let some for someone who entered the season as a 19 year old with under 15 games to his name.

Brilliant season by Clarry and can’t wait to see him develop further, utilize his good kicking more and become a true star of the game!

He's bucked a lot of trends  as a 2nd year player. As some would have it..he is actually morphing his game as he understands his own abilities better. I'd have to think some coaches have had a whisper...back yourself !!

onwards and upwards...

 

[red&blue1982 252]

A good year.

His kicking's quite strong. His handpassing also, but way too many risky handpasses. Seemed fit and fast. Enthusiastic.

He needs to improve his tackling to remain in the midfield. And of coarse he needs to stop putting teammates under pressure with low percentage handballs. That caused alot of turnovers, and was very frustrating to watch. The coaches need to get him kicking more.

 

[poita 3,573]

Phenomenal second season by Oliver, particularly given how he struggled to run out games in his first season. He must have done a mountain of work over the off season to get his body right. He will deservedly win the B&F by a large margin.

The challenge for Clayton from here is to be a more damaging player when he gets the ball. Whilst he'll never be a Dangerfield / Martin - style run & carry player, he'll be far more dangerous when he starts kicking more and being less predictable. As he has met every challenge to date, I have no doubt he'll keep developing & improving.

It was interesting to hear Petracca on MMM a few weeks ago suggesting that he would choose Oliver to work with on his endurance, rather than Jones or one of the other senior players. It is good to see him being highly regarded by his peers, and hopefully he can develop some strong leadership abilities over the next few years.

 

[Vogon Poetry 2,095]

2 minutes ago, poita said:

 Whilst he'll never be a Dangerfield / Martin - style run & carry player,

 

I'm not so sure.  He has all the attributes except Danger's speed.  He merely needs to modify the way he plays.

The guy is freaky good.

[64" 97]

The best l have seen for his age and inexperience.May it continue!!

[DeeZone 7,698]

Fantastic effort Clayton, shaping up to be Top 5 in the Competition.................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thrice 216]

2 hours ago, 1 red eye 1 blue eye said:

So consistent, I was waiting for a toward the end of year drop off but he maintained his possession numbers although I don't think he was releasing players as well. Made some gobsmacking ly good plays and should go alright in the b&f I'd reckon.

 

1 hour ago, beelzebub said:

He's bucked a lot of trends  as a 2nd year player. As some would have it..he is actually morphing his game as he understands his own abilities better. I'd have to think some coaches have had a whisper...back yourself !!

onwards and upwards...

 

Interesting how you two have noticed the same thing but taken the opposite inference.

I think he lack(s/ed) confidence in his kicking, however his ratio shifted toward more kicks as the season went on. This was certainly the coaches encouraging him to kick more as his kicking to position and weighting of passes is already quite strong.

I'm coming around to VP's way of thinking. He has a really strong first 2 or 3 steps to clear congestion. As confidence in his kicking grows he can certainly use those steps to execute a kick from congestion. He has demonstrated his speed of mind and ability to sum up options so there is little doubt in my mind that he will be able to add this attribute to his game. 

[Rocknroll 912]

Kid gets killed by the umps, 2 against to every free kick. 

some of those is that his hands are to fast

[beelzebub 22,225]

@Thrice

Are we different so much in view.

Both saying its about understanding your abilities and utilising them as your confidence grows ?

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I don't really buy the needs to kick more thing, sort of anyway. He is an inside beast, ripping balls out of packs and dishing them out. Sure, there were a few he probably could have kicked.

If he starts getting a bit more cheap ball on the outside, not only would he naturally have more kicks, he would be just about the best mid going around within a few years.

[Lucifers Hero 36,991]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-22/oliver-a-roughie-for-the-brownlow

A great credit to the young man to be in the conversation for the Brownlow in just his second year.

I figured out his secret!  As soon as he takes possession of the ball he takes a little vertical jump and his arms and hands are out of reach of op even if they tackle him.  No other player in the league does that.  Usually they crouch but Clarrie leaps and gets his handball away.  Love watching him play.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,122]

What's the record number of votes for a second year player?

i have him finishing with 18.

[DEE fence 4,445]

11 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I figured out his secret!  As soon as he takes possession of the ball he takes a little vertical jump and his arms and hands are out of reach of op even if they tackle him.  

yes he shrugs high, he opens himself up to do that, is a brave fella

[DistrACTION Jackson 6,418]

Could go down as one of the greats of the Melbourne Football Club and could potentially be the best player in the comp.

Absolutely love him! Take it to another level in 2018 Clarry!

[Demon trucker 1,737]

The only reason he did not make the 40 all Australian pre squad is two things, the Will Schofield dive, and the don't touch me ever again incident with the blues scum, I hated the way the club hanged him out to dry, if that was one of the Scott twins they would have backed their player, they would have said that the  spectator shouldn't have put his hands out to touch the player. The way the club put all the fault on Oliver.

[Adzman 2,085]

He will win a Brownlow during his career if he doesn't get hurt.

[whatwhat say what 18,875]

His second year was, probably, the best second year I have ever seen from any player, ever

This kid has an innate ability to win the ball and then do something creative with it - I can’t believe he lasted til pick 4 in the draft, let alone that we were smart enough to trade up to have access to him and make sure our pick was ahead of the Peptides so that we secured him

He is a far better kick than he thinks he is, I think, and there’s no doubt that he’ll become a weapon by foot just like he is with by hand

His reading of the play and his marking prowess are also exemplary

I don’t think we can possibly judge where he’s going to go - the sky is the limit for Oliver

Edited September 24, 2017 by DemonAndrew

[Willmoy1947 3,765]

Oliver twist....

[Dees_In_October 3,346]

Oliver handball supercut of 2017

[whatwhat say what 18,875]

that handball out of a pack to a moving anb is poetry in motion