I cannot understand the sentiments of half the posters on this forum.

We see emotional reactions [he was and still could be a champion player] clouding what are hidden but most likely logical reasons for the club’s current perspective and action.

We see Clarrie on a field of sport for one or two hours for half a year.

Most of us do not see anything else. We do not see his relationships with his peers or his individual needs, his attitude to the rigors of training and the rest.

Certainly, none of us know what goes on in Clarrie's mind. We only guess and that is why there are so many comments here. But there are many people who have better ideas than you and I and those are the people who have been around him in his journey as a footballer and as a person, such as our current and noble captain and previous well-meaning coach. We guess, but they do not leak, as it should be.

Sure, we get crumbs and make guesses. Sure, I never got the reason why a visually unfit player with injuries was being played in parts of 2024; until someone suggested it was better for him to play than being away.

In my opinion it is simple, [as if anything is really simple] I don't think Clarrie has realized that the world of being a well-paid athlete and what that encompasses does not easily overlap with some other choices or actions he probably makes.

It is not the actions of a new president and coach, but a better-informed new president and coach and club. In the longer term as many suggested it just might be in Clarrie's best interest as a footballer and as a person to start again somewhere else to deal with what for him and some supporters view as a betrayal.

[Sorry I posted for the second time when I said I would not].

We won’t be getting pick 37 for Oliver gws just traded it

They still have pick 35.

It's a small town and word gets around.

In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them. When that happens this trade will finally make sense.

19 minutes ago, Hellfire Dub said:

It's a small town and word gets around.

In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them. When that happens this trade will finally make sense.

But if it's that bad, why are GWS not being more cautious?

10 minutes ago, sue said:

But if it's that bad, why are GWS not being more cautious?

Because some clubs have a No DH policy, but GWS has an Only DH policy.

1 hour ago, Hellfire Dub said:

It's a small town and word gets around.

In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them. When that happens this trade will finally make sense.

Yeah some of the stories never made it public somehow.

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

It is pretty clear the club views Clayton Oliver's impact on the performance of other players, the time and energy the takes up from coaches, board, and media, and likely also on the reputation of the club as a destination for recruits, as outweighing his 'good ordinary' on-field contribution in the last 24 months.

I do have a vague recollection of people complaining that we hadn't been able to attract any A-grade players for a while... hmmm...

Clarry has had off field problems in the past, but apart from showing his angst ( A very understandable reaction)) after being told to move on, has he had any off field incidents for the whole of the 2025 season? I don't know of any.

6 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

It is pretty clear the club views Clayton Oliver's impact on the performance of other players, the time and energy the takes up from coaches, board, and media, and likely also on the reputation of the club as a destination for recruits, as outweighing his 'good ordinary' on-field contribution in the last 24 months.

I do have a vague recollection of people complaining that we hadn't been able to attract any A-grade players for a while... hmmm...

Apart from being very outspoken about getting booted out of the club (and he had good reason to be hurt), what has Clarry done off field this year to upset the club? Anyone know?

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The more I think about it , the more it STINKS trading OUR SECOND BEST EVER PLAYER for a Third round pick AND paying maybe half his SALARY. GGF MELBOURNE The Club has LOST the plot totally!☠️

3 hours ago, Hellfire Dub said:

It's a small town and word gets around.

In the fullness of time Demon fans who can't comprehend this trade will hear reasons that may shock them. When that happens this trade will finally make sense.

My main problem is that 3 years ago they sign a big contract with Oliver, from that time he has had a big personality change, big enough for us to throw him out. Though could be within 2 years of the signing, as we tried to shop him out to Geelong last season. King probably had some info from that time. Leaves me confused about what went, and is going down.

From a gun to an unwanted player in such a short period. Why didn’t they know this, whatever it is about him at the time of his contract?

56 minutes ago, Kev said:

From a gun to an unwanted player in such a short period. Why didn’t they know this, whatever it is about him at the time of his contract?

I think after his contract extension he broke up with his girlfriend which set off a domino reaction with him going off the rails, getting injured, missing preseasons and losing fitness and confidence (and the contested midfield game evolving a bit). Plus obviously Goody, Pert, Roffey leaving since then. In Melbourne's defence he was coming of a 2 time AFLCA player of the year award.

13 minutes ago, The Lobster Effect said:

I think after his contract extension he broke up with his girlfriend which set off a domino reaction with him going off the rails, getting injured, missing preseasons and losing fitness and confidence (and the contested midfield game evolving a bit). Plus obviously Goody, Pert, Roffey leaving since then. In Melbourne's defence he was coming of a 2 time AFLCA player of the year award.

The Sophie effect knocked his socks of and undoubtedly was a factor, if not main reason that he ended up like he did!

8 hours ago, Bobby McKenzie 2 said:

He would have the main say. That's for sure. He is the boss.

He's not the boss, he's the head coach with others in the club above him and others in the FD that don't have to answer to him.

As for shifting players in/out, there's a list management committee, King is but one voice on that.

3 minutes ago, bing181 said:

He's not the boss, he's the head coach with others in the club above him and others in the FD that don't have to answer to him.

As for shifting players in/out, there's a list management committee, King is but one voice on that.

Rubbish, this was Kings call, pure and simple!

3 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Rubbish, this was Kings call, pure and simple!

No it wasn't Pickett..

1 minute ago, Bobby McKenzie 2 said:

  6 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

It is pretty clear the club views Clayton Oliver's impact on the performance of other players, the time and energy the takes up from coaches, board, and media, and likely also on the reputation of the club as a destination for recruits, as outweighing his 'good ordinary' on-field contribution in the last 24 months.

6 hours ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

Yeah some of the stories never made it public somehow.

You know this for sure Norm?

6 hours ago, picket fence said:

The more I think about it , the more it STINKS trading OUR SECOND BEST EVER PLAYER for a Third round pick AND paying maybe half his SALARY. GGF MELBOURNE The Club has LOST the plot totally!☠️

Weren’t you leaving Demonland and not signing up as a member .

He’s gone, he was great best after Robbie I’ve seen but the ship has sailed and time for us all to move on and you to keep your promises.

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

No it wasn't Pickett..

Pickett is leaving when we get what he considers unders for Clarrie .

Can not believe posters actually try and talk footy with this bloke. A Sherrin would provide better footy conversation

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

No it wasn't Pickett..

Sorry Daz, who runs the joint?? And if it wasn't his call then he already has been comprimised!

Future third rounder plus we pay salary is a disgrace any way you look at it.

18 minutes ago, Young Angus said:

Future third rounder plus we pay salary is a disgrace any way you look at it.

This should tell you more about how problematic Clarry actually is rather than the trade being bad

Let’s not all pretend to know what goes on within the 4 walls of the club. Clarry has been a liability on and off the field for years. And we only get to see the public facing stuff, who knows what else is happening behind closed doors.

I back our new executive leadership and coach in.

1 hour ago, Smokey said:

This should tell you more about how problematic Clarry actually is rather than the trade being bad

Let’s not all pretend to know what goes on within the 4 walls of the club. Clarry has been a liability on and off the field for years. And we only get to see the public facing stuff, who knows what else is happening behind closed doors.

I back our new executive leadership and coach in.

Very indicting isn't it :(

Can someone remind me what the Stringer trade price was?

I'd be interested to know where our Clarrie sits on that D(*)H scale...

(*Let's be kind, please: 'Disturbed')

7 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Can someone remind me what the Stringer trade price was?

I'd be interested to know where our Clarrie sits on that D(*)H scale...

(*Let's be kind, please: 'Disturbed')

Ess got pick 53