10 hours ago, 710 Asbury St said:

It’s funny you mentioned his 2 dogs, I’d actually wondered about them as I haven’t seen him post them on Insta in a bit. Also, love your anecdotes and all you said in your full post that’s up a bit.

And congrats to Clarry. I’ve not been in Australia long enough to have seen any of the great stars of the MFC like you all have. I got here in 2014 and got into footy a couple of years after that. So, I almost can’t remember a time he wasn’t playing. Clayton’s my favourite player—I won’t even admit to how much memorabilia I have with him on it.

I get how it can be hard to reconcile Clarry now to 2021, but I believe he’ll get back to his best. I was watching a game on TV and he had the ball and was running with the biggest smile on his face. That’s why I believe in him. He still loves the game and he’s not done. I only hope it will be with MFC.

You picked the right team, that’s for sure!

Claz adores his little pooches but while he was getting the fencing done at his house they stayed at his mum’s place and that’s where they remain because it’s not practical to have them at his as he and his housemate aren’t always home. But he gets up to Echuca as often as he can to see them.

You’re spot on about Clarrie loving the game. He takes it seriously like any other player but while actually out there he’s in his element. He has fun and forgets about everything else going on.

At training he’s always bursting with energy and it’s infectious. Last week I filmed him play-fighting with Leb while they were setting up. He was on top of Leb who was struggling to push him off, then Clarrie started to tickle him. Leb was thrashing his legs around and was giggling like a little kid. It was the best. You couldn’t help but smile and laugh. We all were. I regret deleting the footage but at the time I was thinking if I posted it on here that would only invite negative comments from the soccer ball brigade. And I hated the thought of anyone putting a nasty slant on something so heartwarming.

I’ve said it before but ima say it again… the only reason Claz wouldn’t be with us next season is if the club was to boot him out. Same goes for Fritta.

35 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

I’ve said it before but ima say it again… the only reason Claz wouldn’t be with us next season is if the club was to boot him out.

We all know what happened to the person who tried that last year… I dare anyone to try that again

13 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

But you’re not imaginary.

Or are you?

maybe

I understand the support for Oliver, and he is still one of the best below-the-knees footballers since Greg Williams, but he is a limited footballer with average kicking skills and is not a great decision-maker when the game is not contested, like we played in 2021. Today's game has exposed him for that. Could he be more dangerous playing with another coach or club? Possibly, but the fact is, as I have always said, we have a one-paced, poorly skilled midfield, and until we address that, we will struggle to compete for the flag again. If the club thinks he needs to move on, I'm not against it. The same goes for Viney.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by demon3165

Just now, demon3165 said:

I understand the support for Oliver, and he is still one of the best below-the-knees footballers since Greg Williams, but he is a limited footballer with average kicking skills and is not a great decision-maker when the game is not contested, like we played in 2021. Today's game has exposed him for that. Could he be more dangerous playing with another coach or club? Possibly, but the fact is, as I have always said, we have a one-paced, poorly skilled midfield, and until we address that, we will struggle to compete for the flag again. If the club thinks he needs to move on, I'm not against it.

Wrong thread

2 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Wrong thread

No it isn't.

6 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

No it isn't.

This is a celebration of a much-loved player’s 200th game. There’s literally Every. Single. Other. Thread. in which to post the negatives.

There’s no doubt this guy is one of the best ever players to pull on the red and blue. His 2017-mid 2023 inclusive period is the single most consistently high performing period I’ve witnessed by a Melbourne player. Even now, reading some of the comments on this thread, his current output is being underrated purely because of how high he set the bar.

The thing that can’t be argued is he is statistically one of the best midfielders ever. In the top echelon for disposal, contested possessions, clearances and even score involvements relative to others playing his position. But the thing that really sets him apart and in my opinion has never been fully appreciated outside MFC is what he does off the ball. Contrary to popular media opinion, at his best he was one of the best 2 way runners in the game, and his intercept possessions for a midfielder were off the charts for a long time. He’s dropped off in this area a tad since the hammy, hand issues and off field issues (apparently he is human) but at the game on Sunday I saw signs that this part of his game is returning. It’s no coincidence our defense basically never conceded 100 points while Oliver was at his peak. Along with an elite back 6, having peak Oliver was like playing with an extra player to intercept in front of D50.

Add to all of the above that he’s got the cleanest hands I’ve seen of any AFL player (only saw G Williams in his twilight) and is one of the most creative by hand, he’s already a legend of this club. Of course a popular highlight was the goal in the granny, but I’d also note he has the 4th highest rated game since they started measuring player ratings. Only behind Buddy and Le Cras with bags of 12+ and S Johnson in the 186 game with 7 goals and 10 goal assists. He basically should’ve won that 2021 game against Adelaide off his own boot while the rest of the team were down if not for a couple of terrible calls in the last minute (and many others throughout the game). It’s arguably the best game by a midfielder ever.

Let this sink in: from the start of 2021 to mid 2023 Oliver played 61 games and polled coaches votes in 51 games. That includes losses. It doesn’t include finals in that period in which he never failed to get 15 contested possessions and was in the best for 4 out of the 5. The start of 2023 is sometime forgotten for how good he was because of what happened after the hammy. He polled coaches votes in 9 of the first 10 games. That includes the game vs Port where he did a serious hammy in the third quarter and (maybe unwisely in retrospect) continued to play the game out. The only game he didn’t poll votes in was the Gather Round game against Essendon where he got 41 touches and 25 contested possessions while copping a heavy tag!

I can’t see an argument where any Melbourne player is compared to Oliver in terms of overall output other than Barrassi, Flower and Gawn.

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Wrong thread

YEP Absolutely

11 minutes ago, 0livers Army said:

There’s no doubt this guy is one of the best ever players to pull on the red and blue. His 2017-mid 2023 inclusive period is the single most consistently high performing period I’ve witnessed by a Melbourne player. Even now, reading some of the comments on this thread, his current output is being underrated purely because of how high he set the bar.

The thing that can’t be argued is he is statistically one of the best midfielders ever. In the top echelon for disposal, contested possessions, clearances and even score involvements relative to others playing his position. But the thing that really sets him apart and in my opinion has never been fully appreciated outside MFC is what he does off the ball. Contrary to popular media opinion, at his best he was one of the best 2 way runners in the game, and his intercept possessions for a midfielder were off the charts for a long time. He’s dropped off in this area a tad since the hammy, hand issues and off field issues (apparently he is human) but at the game on Sunday I saw signs that this part of his game is returning. It’s no coincidence our defense basically never conceded 100 points while Oliver was at his peak. Along with an elite back 6, having peak Oliver was like playing with an extra player to intercept in front of D50.

Add to all of the above that he’s got the cleanest hands I’ve seen of any AFL player (only saw G Williams in his twilight) and is one of the most creative by hand, he’s already a legend of this club. Of course a popular highlight was the goal in the granny, but I’d also note he has the 4th highest rated game since they started measuring player ratings. Only behind Buddy and Le Cras with bags of 12+ and S Johnson in the 186 game with 7 goals and 10 goal assists. He basically should’ve won that 2021 game against Adelaide off his own boot while the rest of the team were down if not for a couple of terrible calls in the last minute (and many others throughout the game). It’s arguably the best game by a midfielder ever.

Let this sink in: from the start of 2021 to mid 2023 Oliver played 61 games and polled coaches votes in 51 games. That includes losses. It doesn’t include finals in that period in which he never failed to get 15 contested possessions and was in the best for 4 out of the 5. The start of 2023 is sometime forgotten for how good he was because of what happened after the hammy. He polled coaches votes in 9 of the first 10 games. That includes the game vs Port where he did a serious hammy in the third quarter and (maybe unwisely in retrospect) continued to play the game out. The only game he didn’t poll votes in was the Gather Round game against Essendon where he got 41 touches and 25 contested possessions while copping a heavy tag!

I can’t see an argument where any Melbourne player is compared to Oliver in terms of overall output other than Barrassi, Flower and Gawn.

Um, vying for the post of the season!🤩

From Tracc’s Insta…

Did Goodwin talk about this at his presser or on SEN this week?

I feel as coach he should bring this up.

Clarry is actually having a reasonable season this year, it’s just that his standards were so high for 5 years that we compare everything he does to those years

Great interview with Clarry on the MFC website. Interesting that Billy Stretch was the player he copied to learn how to train, eat, recover etc... in the preseason of his 2nd year, after a challenge from Brendan McCartney.

He also talks of Goodwin being firm but always as a means of improvement. And Gawn is like a father, often has challenging things to say but it is always appreciated.

Close with Petracca, Salem and Fritsch.

He likes enjoying his footy.

The difficulties of 2023/24 were his poor response to being injured, which he had never had to deal with before.

Just saw his interview on the MFC site. Honest and humble. Love him in the Red and Blue. Also worth watching as he talks about the new gameplan and how excited he is leading into 2026.

Clarry is wonderful! Here's a sketch from a few years back. I don't seem to have a photo of the more detailed portrait I did of him (and am travelling so away from sketchboom), from one of the games where he was scratched on the forehead and was applauded as he went off for the blood rule.

Clarry is always so joyously intent when he's on the field, especially when he's at his fittest and performing miracles 🥰❤️💙

2 minutes ago, DeelightfulPlay said:

Clarry is wonderful! Here's a sketch from a few years back. I don't seem to have a photo of the more detailed portrait I did of him (and am travelling so away from sketchboom), from one of the games where he was scratched on the forehead and was applauded as he went off for the blood rule.

Clarry is always so joyously intent when he's on the field, especially when he's at his fittest and performing miracles 🥰❤️💙

Well bowled Clarry Lets win it tomorrow for him Yes I was at training last week and saw the fun wrestle. From what I saw he looks like a great bloke. Premiership player I will always love him as much as any straight man can

His first 7 years are the best I have ever seen in Demons colours. Should have 2 brownlows

An absolute champion and our best inside midfielder ever

Love ya Clarry!

200 games at 27yo is unbelievable durability

I hope he can stay with us, keep improving year on year and celebrate 300 in a few years

Stats wise 2022 is his best:

Averages:

Disposals - 33

Clearances - 9

Tackles - 6

Plus 25 brownlow votes (although he got 31 votes in 2021)

Insane stats

Legend

Love him always will but I feel the game is leaving him behind

Poor guy, had his house broken into as reported on 7 news

24 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Poor guy, had his house broken into as reported on 7 news

don't know how most of you still live in Melbourne its crazy to me, why do I feel like this will be a thing now with like what happened to several NBA and NFL players this year

https://www.instagram.com/triplemfooty/p/DMPkwszOPn9/?img_index=2

Nice story from howie.

Clayton comes across as a quiet media shy guy. Maybe he didn't want a fuss.

But at least someone in the media is positive

2nd best footballer I've seen in dees colours, 2nd only to Gawn.

Legend. Love him so much.