Honestly, we are an embarrassment at the moment. Two years in a row we've shopped Clayton around, and now it looks like it's getting shut down again. And so now we're all just meant to pretend like Clayton is a beloved player at the club and that everything is fine. Can't wait to see another hostage interview like they did with Tracc where Clayton explains how he's excited for the season blah blah.

 

I was told at the beginning of 2021 specifically from a former player (hasn't been at the club for a 2-3 years now) Oliver is big, big trouble.  He is treated differently to everyone else simply because he is a good player. If others were to do some of the things he does, they would be treated very differently.  He mentioned that one day when Oliver was behaving poorly, he gave it to him straight....yet Oliver wasn't the one reprimanded, it was Goodwin who spoke with this particular player and said "you can't talk to Clayton like that, we have to be careful with him". 

I would say enough is enough.  He clearly is massive trouble and has a huge contract.  Let go of getting compensated fairly based on his playing ability alone.  It's the whole package you must look at, his character is highly questionable and his contract will haunt us for years to come if he stays.

I'm guessing here, and this is just my opinion, but we have heard Petracca isn't upset with Oliver, but more with the way the club has handled him. I would say this is consistent with the above - they have had rules for him, and rules for others.  

It also was backed up by the infamous Pert / Goodwin interview where they said we've tolerated things and he will now be held accountable for his actions.  

Overall a good move by the MFC I say. 

10 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Maybe the problem is not having a player who needs babysitting, but a club that doesn't know how to babysit. 

You and I know very well that there are dozens of players across the league currently being babysat by their clubs. Including at Geelong, who are opening their doors to Bailey Smith, who believe me, is as much of a distraction machine as Clarry is. 
But if Pies can babysit De Goey, Hawks can babysit Ginnivan, and GWS were able to turn around Hogan, then Melbourne should be able to handle Clarry. 

 

He's been a handful for the footy club and the players for the past couple of years.

The club has gone way above and beyond more then anyone on the playing list. It's no wonder the players are completely fed up with him because he simply won't learn or take responsibility for his actions and behaviours. 

How about for once Oliver takes responsibility for his own actions and start acting like a grown adult for once in his life.

He's 27, not an 18 year old kid.

Paying a guy pretty much 1 million a year to take the absolute [censored] out of the system sums it all up.

There is an absolutely no way anyone  can accuse the footy club for its lack of support because if anything the club has supported him to the tilt.

He literally had to live with the Gawns this year because the club cannot trust him off field.

Edited October 3, 2024Oct 3 by dazzledavey36

2 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Maybe the problem is not having a player who needs babysitting, but a club that doesn't know how to babysit. 

You and I know very well that there are dozens of players across the league currently being babysat by their clubs. Including at Geelong, who are opening their doors to Bailey Smith, who believe me, is as much of a distraction machine as Clarry is. 
But if Pies can babysit De Goey, Hawks can babysit Ginnivan, and GWS were able to turn around Hogan, then Melbourne should be able to handle Clarry. 

 

Not all challenges people face are the same are they?

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

There is an absolutely no way you can accuse the footy club for its lack of support because if anything the club has supported him to the tilt.

He literally had to live with the Gawns this year because the club cannot trust him off field.

I never accused them of not supporting him. I know they supported him. But those are two different things.

Managing someone like Clarry and not letting it be a distraction, a media sensation, or cause division in the team, is a skill that some clubs have and some don't.

 

2 minutes ago, WiseDeeMan said:

I'm guessing here, and this is just my opinion, but we have heard Petracca isn't upset with Oliver, but more with the way the club has handled him. I would say this is consistent with the above - they have had rules for him, and rules for others.  

The things we've heard about Petracca's concerns around the Oliver stuff aren't clear at all. The way I see it, the concern might be one of a few things, each of which are very different:

- maybe he's not happy with how we may have let Oliver get away with more than we perhaps should have for too long

- maybe he's not happy with the way Oliver has applied himself

- maybe he's not happy with the dumb way the club tried to 'scare' Oliver into line last year.

If it's the third one above, he'll probably be loving what we've gone and done this week! We just looked like a joke doing it last year, and we look even worse this year.

Just now, rufus said:

The things we've heard about Petracca's concerns around the Oliver stuff aren't clear at all. The way I see it, the concern might be one of a few things, each of which are very different:

- maybe he's not happy with how we may have let Oliver get away with more than we perhaps should have for too long

- maybe he's not happy with the way Oliver has applied himself

- maybe he's not happy with the dumb way the club tried to 'scare' Oliver into line last year.

If it's the third one above, he'll probably be loving what we've gone and done this week! We just looked like a joke doing it last year, and we look even worse this year.

Agree Rufus - ps Great band Rufus!

52 minutes ago, praha said:

One bad season after...

4 B&F

2x AFLCA awards

3x All-Australian

2x Coaches MVP

List goes on...

And before he turned 26.

Also he played a full season after no pre-season. And still averaged above average stats for a midfielder. After being "Elite" in every category for most of his career.

Insanity how quickly people both internally and externally are jumping off one of the all time greats after one bad season.

And all for a bag of chips!!!

It'll free up space.... and space for another person.

WHO??!! 

Clarry is a jet and has clearly required extra attention. Provided it does not unduly divide the group, and they can find some common ground, and work towards a common goal in 2025, together, HE STAYS!! Wins the ball for us, not the Cats. Stuff that. 

9 minutes ago, WiseDeeMan said:

I was told at the beginning of 2021 specifically from a former player (hasn't been at the club for a 2-3 years now) Oliver is big, big trouble.  He is treated differently to everyone else simply because he is a good player. If others were to do some of the things he does, they would be treated very differently.  He mentioned that one day when Oliver was behaving poorly, he gave it to him straight....yet Oliver wasn't the one reprimanded, it was Goodwin who spoke with this particular player and said "you can't talk to Clayton like that, we have to be careful with him". 

 

Heard the same, from a very well known and highly regarded former player who left the club following the 2021 flag. Gawn and Petracca are very much in alignment over the way the Oliver "issues" have been allowed to fester over a period of time. 

Make a [censored] decision with the best interest of the team, the club and its members at heart and stand by it!!! 

11 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

I never accused them of not supporting him. I know they supported him. But those are two different things.

Managing someone like Clarry and not letting it be a distraction, a media sensation, or cause division in the team, is a skill that some clubs have and some don't.

 

No I didn't mean you sorry, and I've gone back and edited that part.

10 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

I never accused them of not supporting him. I know they supported him. But those are two different things.

Managing someone like Clarry and not letting it be a distraction, a media sensation, or cause division in the team, is a skill that some clubs have and some don't.

 

Its clear he was given too much leeway for too long before football was taken away.

His challenges are significant. and require ongoing management.

There is no off the shelf one size fits all process for dealing with each individuals unique challenges.

Managing Oliver's challenges would be a challenge for any club.

34 minutes ago, praha said:

One bad season after...

4 B&F

2x AFLCA awards

3x All-Australian

2x Coaches MVP

List goes on...

And before he turned 26.

Also he played a full season after no pre-season. And still averaged above average stats for a midfielder. After being "Elite" in every category for most of his career.

Insanity how quickly people both internally and externally are jumping off one of the all time greats after one bad season.

Great efforts no doubt, if a club offered me 2 top 10 picks I would jump at it.  Nothing to do with a bad season, it is how he prepared for the season.

I also don't believe we can win another flag with our current midfield.  You need to plan for the Tassie Drafts, Oliver had trade currency although that seems extremely diminished now.

I don’t see Pert offering more goal assists than Clarrie next year, more like own goals. 

6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

No I didn't mean you sorry, and I've gone back and edited that part.

It’s ok. I understand where you’re coming from. Trust me nobody is more aware of Clarry’s issues. 

Whichever way you look at it tho, the club has handled this appallingly. It’s just another f up in a long list of f ups from the management team of this club. Which has why I keep saying that getting rid of Clarry, doesn’t magically fix all that is broken at this club. 

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Remember this: trading Clarry for a packet of stale chips is always an option. 
Finding another talent like Clarry, is not. 

We might be able to trade him in the future, but we won't necessarily be able to clear his cap hit.

1 hour ago, KozzyCan said:

We got cold feet when we saw how [censored] the deal was. 

Surely you get an indication of what the other party is willing to pay before you go and tell a player to have a look around. I'm not having a go at you by the way, just that this whole process and the way it has been orchestrated by the club is an absolute [censored] show. I'm all for having honest discussions with players and so forth, but how could the club allow Clarry to go and have a chat to Geelong knowing they had sweet F All to offer? The stupidity and incompetence is bewildering.

42 minutes ago, WiseDeeMan said:

I was told at the beginning of 2021 specifically from a former player (hasn't been at the club for a 2-3 years now) Oliver is big, big trouble.  He is treated differently to everyone else simply because he is a good player. If others were to do some of the things he does, they would be treated very differently.  He mentioned that one day when Oliver was behaving poorly, he gave it to him straight....yet Oliver wasn't the one reprimanded, it was Goodwin who spoke with this particular player and said "you can't talk to Clayton like that, we have to be careful with him". 

I would say enough is enough.  He clearly is massive trouble and has a huge contract.  Let go of getting compensated fairly based on his playing ability alone.  It's the whole package you must look at, his character is highly questionable and his contract will haunt us for years to come if he stays.

I'm guessing here, and this is just my opinion, but we have heard Petracca isn't upset with Oliver, but more with the way the club has handled him. I would say this is consistent with the above - they have had rules for him, and rules for others.  

It also was backed up by the infamous Pert / Goodwin interview where they said we've tolerated things and he will now be held accountable for his actions.  

Overall a good move by the MFC I say. 

27 minutes ago, Swooper1987 said:

Heard the same, from a very well known and highly regarded former player who left the club following the 2021 flag. Gawn and Petracca are very much in alignment over the way the Oliver "issues" have been allowed to fester over a period of time. 

2021, eh?

So that’s before we signed him to a 7 year million dollar contract that is now the noose around our necks in trying to do what you both are implying is the right thing to do?

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

He's been a handful for the footy club and the players for the past couple of years.

The club has gone way above and beyond more then anyone on the playing list. It's no wonder the players are completely fed up with him because he simply won't learn or take responsibility for his actions and behaviours. 

How about for once Oliver takes responsibility for his own actions and start acting like a grown adult for once in his life.

He's 27, not an 18 year old kid.

Paying a guy pretty much 1 million a year to take the absolute [censored] out of the system sums it all up.

There is an absolutely no way anyone  can accuse the footy club for its lack of support because if anything the club has supported him to the tilt.

He literally had to live with the Gawns this year because the club cannot trust him off field.

 

Agree with all points, and for all the faults of the club - there was nothing more that could be done to support Oliver. We as a club absolutely lent in to support him in an authentic and genuine manner. It went far beyond traditional window dressing and I'm actually proud of the club for this. 

What is absolutely disappointing for mine, is the toing and throwing the club has done over the past two seasons with Oliver. It's weak and frankly pretty embarrassing. We made a decision to back him in and mend the relationship, yet the club has acted akin to a parent that makes empty threats and everyone knows it - including the child; a real "if you keep doing that, you'll be getting out of the pool", and then the parent never delivers.

If we're at a point we're the relationship is untenable, or the concerns around Oliver and his behaviour/standards can no longer be tolerated, then get him out. The weakness of the club in this regard is embarrassing and frankly somewhat farcical. 

Edited October 4, 2024Oct 4 by BLWNBA

16 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

It’s ok. I understand where you’re coming from. Trust me nobody is more aware of Clarry’s issues. 

Whichever way you look at it tho, the club has handled this appallingly. It’s just another f up in a long list of f ups from the management team of this club. Which has why I keep saying that getting rid of Clarry, doesn’t magically fix all that is broken at this club. 

I agree, it's been handled extremely poorly.

Start off by getting rid of Pert for starters. This wouldn't be handled so poorly under Peter Jacksons and Josh Mahoneys watch.

Look at the way we professionally handled the Jack Watts and Jesse Hogan scenario. 

13 hours ago, Fanatique Demon said:

The Age says that on his current contract Oliver would be easily the highest-paid player at Geelong. So that’s ahead of Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield.  It says Geelong has rarely overpaid for even the top-end players they have had. Seems like they’re far better money and player managers than we are.

Interesting way of phrasing it...

Im sure this is public knowledge but I’ll repeat it anyway, Clazz has been a load since his first season.

When Brendan McCartney was at the club, he got so sick and tired of Oliver’s antics that he sat him down in his office and showed him a long list of names.

He said, “do you recognise these names?”

”yeah some of them”

McCartney replied, “these are all the people at the club who think you’re a [censored]!!”

McCartney was really good for Oliver in those early days. Oliver was unaware that his behaviour was so impactful to so many people. McCartney was no nonsense and steered Oliver the right direction in terms of professionalism and treatment of others.

Whether you think Clarry should, or should not, be traded is not really the issue here.

This has been handled ATROCIOUSLY by the club - again. Like last year. And Trac this year.

IF there is an issue - you DON'T destroy the club's bargaining power. It's as if we love entering into these situations (off our own bat) with the weakest hand possible. A self-inflicted handicap. Do we love the challenge? 

Personally, I want Clarry to stay. The notion of giving him (and his potential next year after a big preseason) up for a future pick in the LATE TEENS, plus likely paying some of his salary (to save for whom? Because of all this [censored] WHO wants to come to our club?? WHY?) makes no sense. If our window was not already closed with Gus gone, Trac a question mark for next year (either because we're just not sure when he will play, or his level due to injuries), then it will certainly be closed with Clarry gone. We have NO depth, and because of this mess cannot trade or recruit to fill gaps. Furthermore, any kids we get will need guys like Clarry to learn from. 

If Clarry has issues, still, fine. Apparently this has been known for some time. Like every other club we deal with it. If there have been mistakes made re other players - you acknowledge it - get everyone into a room, talk about it, clear the air and remind these guys that we are a FOOTY CLUB, a once great club, now apparently focused on drama and dirty laundry. You get on the same page about trying to snag a flag next year. If Trac and Carry are on the park, and we can somehow, perhaps through prayer lol, convince some talent to join us and fill a couple of gaps, we have enough talent to do some damage next year. 

BUT - everyone has to be on the same page. Clear the air. Put the mistakes behind us. Learn. FOCUS on what is needed to correct course next year. No more silly emails. Just good footy. 

I want Clarry in the red and blue next year. He needs help to focus. I get it. If there was an offer of 2 first rounders, or 1 first rounder and a solid player, fine. Maybe you say ok we cut our losses. But that ain't the case. Dropping Clarry for nothing at all, just to 'save cap space' and a future F1, for the Cats, will be late teens if we're lucky. Pointless. Meanwhile the Cats do what we should have done/do, sort Clarry out, and he helps them to win another flag next year.

Stuff that. Let's fix this. Shake hands. Build together. Snag a flag. 

#SnagAFlag

37 minutes ago, drdrake said:

Great efforts no doubt, if a club offered me 2 top 10 picks I would jump at it.  Nothing to do with a bad season, it is how he prepared for the season.

I also don't believe we can win another flag with our current midfield.  You need to plan for the Tassie Drafts, Oliver had trade currency although that seems extremely diminished now.

Yes two top 10 picks... few if any players in the league are worth more than that. But we aren't going to get that, are we?

If the club can't reign in an off the rails 26 year old with that sort of resume, I genuinely have zero hope for the club.