1 minute ago, Sir Why You Little said:

That’s what it is..he hasn’t gone to the elite fitness he had, and can only perform in shorter bursts at this stage. He is on big $$’s and needs to get better…

I think he is coming from a longer way back than realised

4 minutes ago, adonski said:

I think he is coming from a longer way back than realised

Quite possibly, but that’s why he needs to push himself

Signed a big contract and then went off the rails…

This is Jan 2024.

.

While I'm not happy that he can only go for 1 or 2 quarters we need to acknowledge how far he has come.

I've noticed his instinct and reflexes aren't what they used to be and if he gets those back maybe his physical condition won't matter so much.

He'll need another preseason working his backside off to get back in his best shape. I presume to club know this. If he can't do this we should trade him.

6 hours ago, speed demon said:

Interesting question. I'm skeptical that Oliver will get back to his 2021/2022 best but nor does he need to in order to be valuable.

I think Oliver is someone for whom aerobic fitness is hard to acquire. That he continued to improve from his debut season in 2016 to 2021/2022 may have in large part being due to steadily improving aerobic fitness and thus allowing him to get to more contests (acknowledging he also improved his strength allowing him to break away from contests). He was remarkably consistent during this period, only missing a single game between 2017 and 2022 inclusive.

Those that have to work hard to acquire aerobic fitness also tend to lose it faster. Thus, I suspect Oliver lost a lot more fitness between mid-2023 and the start of 2024 than a different type of athlete (e.g. Langdon) would have. Contrary to popular perception, players don't tend to improve their aerobic fitness across the season (although Oliver may have slightly as he was starting a very low base). One preseason (ie 2024-5) was never going to be enough to get back to his pre-hamstring level of fitness built over several consistent years.

At just 27, he still has time to regain aerobic fitness. Plenty of runners reach peak aerobic fitness in their late 30's and even 40's. Though I think it is going to be hard for him and he seems to have made less progress than I would have expected.

Moreover, I think we need to re-adjust expectations. If Oliver simply gets back to his contested ball winning best and fires out handballs into the path of outside runners with excellent kicks, that's enough. We don't need Oliver to win the ball, break three tackles and kick high and long down the line. Better for the team to play to his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses by utilising the strengths of others (eg Windor, Langford, Lindsay kicking skills).

Astute post🤩

People calling Clarry fat or saying he's not doing the extra work obviously don't follow him on Instagram. He does a mountain of flexibility work with that backyard fella 112mvmnt and is in great nick. Let's not forget that Trac is playing forward more often, Viney has dropped off and no one else has stepped up in years. Leading our tackles and possessions this season. Chew on something else.

3 hours ago, Gator said:

It's pretty amazing to me that supporters can't see the difference in conditioning from 2025 to 2021. ''Fat'' is obviously contextual when it comes to a highly paid professional AFL player. I'll let you work out which photo is from which year.

The haircut ain’t helping 😂 saw someone on Twitter describe it as wet dog hair

41 minutes ago, illbarto said:

People calling Clarry fat or saying he's not doing the extra work obviously don't follow him on Instagram. He does a mountain of flexibility work with that backyard fella 112mvmnt and is in great nick. Let's not forget that Trac is playing forward more often, Viney has dropped off and no one else has stepped up in years. Leading our tackles and possessions this season. Chew on something else.

So you know what he eats 24/7 ?

Today

Looks pretty lean to me. If you look close enough I reckon his heads looks too small for his body.

Edited April 29Apr 29 by GS_1905

I feel like he’s carrying a lot more upper body muscle than years gone. He doesn’t look fat, just top heavy.

I think JVR is carrying too much upper body weight as well.

8 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I fully agree, DZ. Except I’d sooner have Kysaiah Pickett over Kasaiah Pickett (whoever he is) 😉

JK. 😝 when making his last milestone banner believe me when I say we double-checked, triple-checked and even quadruple-checked the spelling before sticking it down. Lucky for Koz he doesn’t play for Collingwood… they couldn’t even get “Isaac” right 😜

whoMever

I must say in pre season I thought he looked in really great shape. Something isn't quite right and it is obvious he's labouring a bit in games at the moment.

McClure has revealed on Wide World of Sports he spoke with two people today who are close with Oliver, and shed light on the situation, both with Oliver and the club internally.

“I don’t want to speak on behalf of him,” McClure said. “There is clearly still a lingering element from Clayton Oliver, a level of frustration at not being traded to Geelong at the end of last year.”

https://www.3aw.com.au/level-of-frustration-sam-mcclures-latest-comments-on-the-clayton-oliver-situation/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKBfVRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEalV4eEhjeVBwZXFEbTVkAR7yI942PBzqBubu0ry1kGZYjQYt2oAhG8aDzfM_AvAgEfD36B-ak-AlLALAZA_aem_bIqKWWizO4QQFs_jAyE_ew

McClure is a grub

14 hours ago, bing181 said:

McClure has revealed on Wide World of Sports he spoke with two people today who are close with Oliver, and shed light on the situation, both with Oliver and the club internally.

“I don’t want to speak on behalf of him,” McClure said. “There is clearly still a lingering element from Clayton Oliver, a level of frustration at not being traded to Geelong at the end of last year.”

https://www.3aw.com.au/level-of-frustration-sam-mcclures-latest-comments-on-the-clayton-oliver-situation/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKBfVRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEalV4eEhjeVBwZXFEbTVkAR7yI942PBzqBubu0ry1kGZYjQYt2oAhG8aDzfM_AvAgEfD36B-ak-AlLALAZA_aem_bIqKWWizO4QQFs_jAyE_ew

Can they stop reporting on him? Leave the man alone, he's clearly having personal problems and has a history of mental health issues. This is so irresponsible of McClure, not that I'm surprised.

The speculation about Clayton Oliver is verging on harassment and bullying.

Perhaps the Melbourne Football Club should consider banning Sam McClure just like the North Melbourne Football Club has done to Kane Cornes?

18 hours ago, Roost it far said:

McClure is a grub

He is however I believe CORRECT

12 minutes ago, picket fence said:

He is however I believe CORRECT

If true that is absolutely disgraceful.

Sign a huge contract, then go off the rails and then sook it up if you are unable to leave…..

40 minutes ago, picket fence said:

He is however I believe CORRECT

He is not. Please stop believing one of the worst journalists going around. Seriously.

I'm quickly losing faith. After last year's disaster I was happy to forgive & forget but it seems to be happening again.

He is a $1million a year player & needs to start delivering or find another club.

5 hours ago, Flowergirl said:

Can they stop reporting on him? Leave the man alone, he's clearly having personal problems and has a history of mental health issues. This is so irresponsible of McClure, not that I'm surprised.

It's relentless. Give the guy a goddamn break. I think some of these low-life media guys forget that these are actually real people.

McClure is totally unreliable. I pay zero attention to what he says.

22 hours ago, Roost it far said:

McClure is a grub

Yep he missed the news of Clazz being managed then digs up some crud...

"Look at me i'm still relevant!"

As if the club's gonna feed this non-event any morsels

Edited May 3May 3 by Demon Dynasty

Can we get a restraining order on him

Serious question

Ignore the haters Clarrie!

Stay strong and get better soon!

We love you mate! ❤️💙

Edited May 3May 3 by Supreme_Demon