2016 Player Review - # 13 Clayton Oliver

[Demonland 70,326]

It was obvious from his first game that the hardnosed Oliver was a player of genuine class. He picked up 2 Brownlow votes and the Rising Star nomination for the opening round. Mindful of the need to build up his capacity to play out a full game, the Demons nursed him through the season but in years to come this powerful inside footballer will become a real weapon.

Games MFC 2016 13

Career Total 13

Goals MFC 2016 6

Career Total 6

Games CSFC 2016 9

Goals CSFC 2016 2

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 127 votes

Brownlow Medal 3 votes

[In Harmes Way 7,712]

Great summary, super exciting talent and I can't wait to see the improvement he will bring to the team as he builds up his tank.

[MadAsHell 4,209]

Choo Choo!

[CBDees 3,165]

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

It was obvious from his first game that the hardnosed Oliver was a player of genuine class. He picked up 2 Brownlow votes and the Rising Star nomination for the opening round. Mindful of the need to build up his capacity to play out a full game, the Demons nursed him through the season but in years to come this powerful inside footballer will become a real weapon.

Games MFC 2016 13

Career Total 13

Goals MFC 2016 6

Career Total 6

Games CSFC 2016 9

Goals CSFC 2016 2

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 127 votes

Brownlow Medal 3 votes

What about his "Rising Star" nomination?

Edited October 5, 2016 by CBDees

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,283]

Genuinely so excited for what this guy could become.

I really hope he works hard to get the most out of his talent and help lift the cup for the Dees one day!

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

He's a star, is already a better player than Mills and will certainly be the best midfielder from the draft if not the best player in all (Weitering will be handy).

Edited October 5, 2016 by Clint Bizkit

[The Chazz 4,077]

19 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

He's a star, is already a better player than Mills and will certainly be the best midfielder from the draft if not the best player in all (Weitering will be handy).

Apart from your first point, all other points in this post are MASSIVE calls!

Personally, I have Mills way above anyone from that draft, and I don't think we can overlook Sydney's finals performances, and how they fluctuated depending on Mills' form and fitness.  

And I actually hope Mills does turn out the best as we did bid for him before we took Oliver.  Happy for Clarrie to be a bloody close 2nd though.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

3 minutes ago, billy2803 said:

Apart from your first point, all other points in this post are MASSIVE calls!

Personally, I have Mills way above anyone from that draft, and I don't think we can overlook Sydney's finals performances, and how they fluctuated depending on Mills' form and fitness.  

And I actually hope Mills does turn out the best as we did bid for him before we took Oliver.  Happy for Clarrie to be a bloody close 2nd though.

Mills is good, but he played on a half-back flank in a team that dominated for much of the year.

Oliver was in the guts and does things in close that no other player in the AFL can do already.

[The Chazz 4,077]

16 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Mills is good, but he played on a half-back flank in a team that dominated for much of the year.

Oliver was in the guts and does things in close that no other player in the AFL can do already.

He didn't just "play" on a half back flank, he basically was the general of the defence of the team that finished on top, in his first season.  The importance of the half back flank role these days was franked in the GF when one of them won the Norm Smith.

They are two totally different players, and I'm not saying that Clarry isn't special, or isn't going to be.  But in my view, Mills is by far the more polished player already, and was more important to a team that finished runner up, than an inside mid of a team that finished 10th.

I'd be happy with either, and the fact that we bid for Mills but took Oliver shows that our FD shared the same view (although they shared it before I hand the luxury of using hindsight!).

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

Is a bull with lightning hands.  It wouldn't surprise to find him in a few years time as one of the premier clearance mids in the comp. Bit like a magician it isn't till you watch the replay in slow motion and zoomed in that you can work out how he cleared the ball from congestion 

From an outsiders perspective Clarrie looked to be beautifully managed throughout the year whereas in the past he would have played every game. 

Along with Petracca, Hogan, Brayshaw, Salem, T Mac and Tyson part of the young guns who will be the keys in our next Premiership side

Already one of my favourite players

[rjay 24,616]

Star...

[Dee Dee 1,103]

That first game against GWS was a revelation. Here's this 18 year old slightly pudgy kid, and Jordie McKenzie lookalike, wearing Jordie's 13 ripping it up like a 50 gamer. Sh*t thought I we have found a player, and sh*t we have. Oliver, Viney, Bradshaw, Petracca, Hunt, Salem and the future looks more than just promising.

[Little Richard 6,216]

He's a phenomenal prospect and has the best hands I've seen at the MFC for a long, long time.

Something that made me even more excited was the break away pace he showed, which I didn't even expect/think he had. Clayton is going to be an immense player if he keeps developing like this.

I'm so happy he's in red and blue.

Edited October 6, 2016 by Luther

[Demon_JB 1,359]

Has one of the best handballs in the game already. This kid can find space and spot team mates in the back of his head like not many footballers can. These attributes are completely underrated. Will be our best player come 4-5 years. Watch this space.

Edited October 6, 2016 by juzzk1d

[Demon Jack 6,741]

Criminally underrated by the rest of the competition who are still fawning over the likes of Mills and Parish. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Might just end up being the best of the group of young talent we have.

Some of the things he did this year I've never seen from a Melbourne (let alone any) player before. 

[Deevolution 103]

He's got me, Gotta love a red head with a bit of mongrel in him, I loved it when Cyril sniped him, he stood straight up & went back & let him know he was still there.

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

9 hours ago, CBDees said:

What about his "Rising Star" nomination?

Mentioned in the first line of the summary.

[DemonWA 3,888]

Perhaps the best first year I can remember seeing from a draftee - I cant remember seeing a 1st year player at the dees who is so polished around the contest.

Most exciting thing about our midfield group is that we have some reasonable depth now. We could all try to come up with the best mix for round 1 2017, but the reality is that after another preseason there are a lot of guys who could be pushing their claims.

 

 

[whatwhat say what 22,218]

i really think he's going to be something quite special. he has the innate ability to see what's going to happen and react a split-second before anyone else. 

[DeeZee 7,296]

This guy wil be scary good once he develops a real tank.

No doubt in my mind that he will become one of the comps premier midfielders 

[monoccular 17,338]

That was without doubt the best debut by a million miles that I have ever seen live.   Breathtaking vision and handball skills.

When he grows up he could become one of the best of all time.

[Canplay 634]

hands, vision, hard and competitive...... In the words of Bruce... delicious! 

[Copuchas 758]

unless I'm imagining it, Clarrie grew a centimetre or two over the course of the season....it will be interesting to see what he's listed at for 2017.  One aspect that hasn't been touched on is his kicking as his hands in close are such a thing of beauty.  However my assessment is that his kicking skills aren't half bad for a kid his age - no fundamental technique flaws and clearly something that will be worked upon in the pre-season.  As several others have noted, it's just all upside with Clarrie.

[Deeoldfart 7,996]

An excellent debut season from Clarry, which showcased his boundless potential.  If he maintains the work ethic and determination to succeed that he showed to get drafted, I can see no reason why he won't 'fast track' to A Grade status within a few years.  He certainly has the tools in his kit-bag.

[jnrmac 19,905]

Can someone please repost that magnificent GIF where he beat Isaac Smith on the wing. Outstanding

Edited October 6, 2016 by jnrmac