Regardless of what Lamb said here it’s clear Oliver seems to have little regard for the club based on his own words these last few days and it’s best for us and probably Oliver to if he moved on. Think the main goal with both Oliver and Trac should be getting a ready to go young talented player in and high end draft pick in the 1-4 range from either tigers or wc. If that’s net of all this at least we can move fwd without being to sour on the whole thing

4 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Tim Lamb saying "Reporting on Oliver meeting last week not necessarily correct, but we did not direct him to explore options" is interesting, isn't it?

Going by reports he's a pretty emotional guy, and let's be honest, not always making the most mature of decisions (everyone matures at different rates, not a dig), is it entirely possible that the alternative reports are true, in that we have suggested he will need to play a different role next year, and he has not reacted well, and has stormed out, and we have said this is what 2026 looks like, you are welcome to find a new home if this does not suit you?

He's taken some calls and met some people, no different to the last 2 years really.

Could he still play in the red and blue once the dust settles a bit?

Personally, I would rather keep Clarry, a club legend, and someone I think is primed for a really good 2026, especially after a solid preseason (and I would have said no more drama, but that horse has bolted), than pay a chunk of his salary - lose him AND Clarry, and experience etc, and have him play/tear it up for the Giants, and have nobody really to replace him.

Reports that he did 'not react well, stormed out' come from who? Mitch Cleary. And what did Mitch actually say? That he "took off". Yeah, I'm taking off from work at 5pm today, but not in a huff slamming the door behind me - I'm just leaving. The commercial media have an interest in generating drama where there is none.

Just now, Adina88 said:

Reports that he did 'not react well, stormed out' come from who? Mitch Cleary. And what did Mitch actually say? That he "took off". Yeah, I'm taking off from work at 5pm today, but not in a huff slamming the door behind me - I'm just leaving. The commercial media have an interest in generating drama where there is none.

...and to be fair to Clarrie he did legitimately have a plane to catch.

Just now, Adina88 said:

Reports that he did 'not react well, stormed out' come from who? Mitch Cleary. And what did Mitch actually say? That he "took off". Yeah, I'm taking off from work at 5pm today, but not in a huff slamming the door behind me - I'm just leaving. The commercial media have an interest in generating drama where there is none.

100% true - BUT it would be somewhat consistent with his subsequent behaviour.

For example, liking the Pies "more than Melbourne, that's for sure". Probably a little more in it than clocking off for the day.

The main thing for me is whether we told him to look elsewhere, or he has inferred that/decided it is best for him as he does not want to play a new role (definitely plausible, new coach, shifting midfield landscape, last years not great), and therefore has taken that personally - this being the scenario which could lead him back if the dust settles a bit/deal from GWS, for example, does not suit us. I certainly don't want a complete unknown in this trade/B grader just to fill the spot and save some dollarydoos.

7 minutes ago, Garbo said:

Regardless of what Lamb said here it’s clear Oliver seems to have little regard for the club based on his own words these last few days and it’s best for us and probably Oliver to if he moved on. Think the main goal with both Oliver and Trac should be getting a ready to go young talented player in and high end draft pick in the 1-4 range from either tigers or wc. If that’s net of all this at least we can move fwd without being to sour on the whole thing

I think this is definitely a fair conclusion. But we don't know everything that's gone on (historically/exit interview etc), and the other intangible here is that it seems Clarry is a really immature and quite emotional/erratic/impulsive kind of guy. I would not be surprised if his response is one of those defence mechanism type responses used by teens to scoff at parents etc.

The main issue here is we will never know. If we've done everything we can, and a reasonable offer was put to him for 2026, and he refuses to take it/amend his ways/be a team player etc, that's a really sad way for a club legend to wrap up his time at the Dees, and I presume this kind of behaviour will present itself at his new club anyway. Unfortunately. Because he should be one of the greats of the game in a perfect world where everyone makes good decisions.

10 minutes ago, Adina88 said:

Reports that he did 'not react well, stormed out' come from who? Mitch Cleary. And what did Mitch actually say? That he "took off". Yeah, I'm taking off from work at 5pm today, but not in a huff slamming the door behind me - I'm just leaving. The commercial media have an interest in generating drama where there is none.

He more than stormed out. Someone in the room copped a spray for the ages apparently

1 minute ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

100% true - BUT it would be somewhat consistent with his subsequent behaviour.

For example, liking the Pies "more than Melbourne, that's for sure". Probably a little more in it than clocking off for the day.

The main thing for me is whether we told him to look elsewhere, or he has inferred that/decided it is best for him as he does not want to play a new role (definitely plausible, new coach, shifting midfield landscape, last years not great), and therefore has taken that personally - this being the scenario which could lead him back if the dust settles a bit/deal from GWS, for example, does not suit us. I certainly don't want a complete unknown in this trade/B grader just to fill the spot and save some dollarydoos.

Go back to the original reporting by Xander McGuire, who interviewed King after the meeting - Oliver was told how the midfield was going to change in 2026, and where he fitted into that, that he'd need to adapt his game a bit to be a bit more flexible in other roles as well as midfield. He was told that there's a chance he may end up playing at Casey a bit. He was also told that if none of that was to his liking (and the club hoped that it would be), then the club would allow/welcome him to explore his options, if that's what he wanted to do. None of it was off-field issues, all of it was football. The media blew it up, Oliver reacted a day after he was ambushed at the airport, and here we are: Jumping to conclusions and can't get rid of him quick enough. A week ago, Oliver had a US holiday booked during trade week, comfortable in his belief that he was a valued part of the midfield and wasn't going anywhere. A week later, he fears the new coach hates him and he's lost his place in the club.

11 minutes ago, gs77 said:

...and to be fair to Clarrie he did legitimately have a plane to catch.

And no one would have guessed it would land at Badgery's Creek

8 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

100% true - BUT it would be somewhat consistent with his subsequent behaviour.

For example, liking the Pies "more than Melbourne, that's for sure". Probably a little more in it than clocking off for the day.

That is just not what he said. This is how false rumours get started.

He was asked (something like) what do you like about Collingwood? Oliver replied, "They are better than Melbourne, that's for sure". His meaning here is that the pies are a better team than MFC - which has been true for the last 3 years.

1 minute ago, Adina88 said:

Go back to the original reporting by Xander McGuire, who interviewed King after the meeting - Oliver was told how the midfield was going to change in 2026, and where he fitted into that, that he'd need to adapt his game a bit to be a bit more flexible in other roles as well as midfield. He was told that there's a chance he may end up playing at Casey a bit. He was also told that if none of that was to his liking (and the club hoped that it would be), then the club would allow/welcome him to explore his options, if that's what he wanted to do. None of it was off-field issues, all of it was football. The media blew it up, Oliver reacted a day after he was ambushed at the airport, and here we are: Jumping to conclusions and can't get rid of him quick enough. A week ago, Oliver had a US holiday booked during trade week, comfortable in his belief that he was a valued part of the midfield and wasn't going anywhere. A week later, he fears the new coach hates him and he's lost his place in the club.

That's exactly what I think. How he reacted after that meeting (and I think it ranges from unhappy to furious). This is in line with lamb saying he was not told to leave.

I think we're on the same page. Personally, I am gutted for him. I think this could/should have been played better by all.

And as always, the media doing what it does best.

Miscommunication and misleading 'journalism' might cost us a legend.

Just now, Neil Crompton said:

That is just not what he said. This is how false rumours get started.

He was asked (something like) what do you like about Collingwood? Oliver replied, "They are better than Melbourne, that's for sure". His meaning here is that the pies are a better team than MFC - which has been true for the last 3 years.

That's interesting. I didn't read it like that - BUT good point. It does make sense, and I would hope that's what he meant. As it's true, and not slagging off the club.

3 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

That is just not what he said. This is how false rumours get started.

He was asked (something like) what do you like about Collingwood? Oliver replied, "They are better than Melbourne, that's for sure". His meaning here is that the pies are a better team than MFC - which has been true for the last 3 years.

Yep. How supporters can take that comment and twist it into Oliver digging the knife into the back of every MFC supporter, thus necessitating his swift excision from the club, is mindblowing.

5 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

That's exactly what I think. How he reacted after that meeting (and I think it ranges from unhappy to furious). This is in line with lamb saying he was not told to leave.

I think we're on the same page. Personally, I am gutted for him. I think this could/should have been played better by all.

And as always, the media doing what it does best.

Miscommunication and misleading 'journalism' might cost us a legend.

Please fellow Dees read between the lines. The change in role is an excuse for the media and to not completely kill our trade hand.

We want him gone. He has wanted to go for 2 years. Can't say what escalated things prior to the meeting but you can use your imagination. Sad ending for a great but needs to and will happen.

Edited yesterday at 04:591 day by Demon4Life

1 minute ago, Adina88 said:

Yep. How supporters can take that comment and twist it into Oliver digging the knife into the back of every MFC supporter, thus necessitating his swift excision from the club, is mindblowing.

Agree. To be fair, I never held this comment against him. I just saw him looking hurt, dejected and defensive.

But yeah lots have taken this to mean = he's no longer one of us, get him out at any cost.

WHICH IS NUTS.

2 minutes ago, Adina88 said:

Yep. How supporters can take that comment and twist it into Oliver digging the knife into the back of every MFC supporter, thus necessitating his swift excision from the club, is mindblowing.

And yet he could have answered without referencing Melbourne at all. 1000s of words to choose from.... but he did actually select those .

If you dont think he wasn't having a go at the Dees... well, you're in a very select group.

3 minutes ago, Demon4Life said:

Please fellow Dees read between the lines. The change in role is an excuse for the media and to not completely kill our trade hand.

We want him gone. He has wanted to go for 2 years. Can't say what escalated things prior to the meeting but you can use your imagination. Sad ending for a great but needs to and will happen.

That's the bit I am not sure on. We have wanted him gone? He could have been shipped off a number of times - and arguably in the worst of it all. I don't think he wants to go at all. His comments historically haven't indicated that. There was a unilateral attempt by Pert to shift him? I think Clarry loves the club. I also think it's been a tough few years.

The only thing that would support us now wanting him gone (especially given Trac is also effectively gone), is that his behaviour, behind closed doors this year, has been the same/bad. And I don't know if I believe that. Would we want him gone for past 'behaviour issues' - whatever they were if we subsequently accepted them, had the chats, repaired the relationships and moved on? Makes no sense. Why now? In the (prior to this moment), the calmest of times? He ended the year well, I thought he was getting back to his old self in those last few games?

15 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

That is just not what he said. This is how false rumours get started.

He was asked (something like) what do you like about Collingwood? Oliver replied, "They are better than Melbourne, that's for sure". His meaning here is that the pies are a better team than MFC - which has been true for the last 3 years.

Check the tapes. "Aaaah, like them better than melbourne, thats for sure" pretty clearly said.

Moot point, but it was a reflection on his feelings, not an appraisal of the clubs. Having said that, both are probably true sadly.

5 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

And yet he could have answered without referencing Melbourne at all. 1000s of words to choose from.... but he did actually select those .

If you dont think he wasn't having a go at the Dees... well, you're in a very select group.

I think he was hurt, and intended to hurt, but whether he meant they are a better destination (i.e. performing better), or he likes them more than us, who knows? No doubt wanted to have a go of some sort. Agree unnecessary reference.

8 minutes ago, Demon4Life said:

Please fellow Dees read between the lines. The change in role is an excuse for the media and to not completely kill our trade hand.

We want him gone. He has wanted to go for 2 years. Can't say what escalated things prior to the meeting but you can use your imagination. Sad ending for a great but needs to and will happen.

I think this must be the case. If he got upset at the role change, surely if the club still wanted him, the club would get someone like Gawn to sit down with him and talk him around. Has Gawn spoken to him?

Edited yesterday at 05:121 day by sue

1 minute ago, beelzebub said:

And yet he could have answered without referencing Melbourne at all. 1000s of words to choose from.... but he did actually select those .

If you dont think he wasn't having a go at the Dees... well, you're in a very select group.

But so what if he did reference Melbourne? Are people really that oversensitive? A Melbourne player isn't allowed to talk publicly about the poor performance of the team (geez, I hope Max knows that because he jokes about it on radio every week!). But supporters certainly are allowed to talk about how bad the team/club are. Got it.

34 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

100% true - BUT it would be somewhat consistent with his subsequent behaviour.

For example, liking the Pies "more than Melbourne, that's for sure". Probably a little more in it than clocking off for the day.

The main thing for me is whether we told him to look elsewhere, or he has inferred that/decided it is best for him as he does not want to play a new role (definitely plausible, new coach, shifting midfield landscape, last years not great), and therefore has taken that personally - this being the scenario which could lead him back if the dust settles a bit/deal from GWS, for example, does not suit us. I certainly don't want a complete unknown in this trade/B grader just to fill the spot and save some dollarydoos.

If you listened to the interview RBMB they asked Clayton about the Facilities he said that Giants were good/ great and Collingwood’s were better than Melbourne’s. That was my take anyway. He is very sketchy at best and appears to have a deep seated disregard for the press.

2 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

If you listened to the interview RBMB they asked Clayton about the Facilities he said that Giants were good/ great and Collingwood’s were better than Melbourne’s. That was my take anyway. He is very sketchy at best and appears to have a deep seated disregard for the press.

This!

9 minutes ago, Jjrogan said:

Check the tapes. "Aaaah, like them better than melbourne, thats for sure" pretty clearly said.

Moot point, but it was a reflection on his feelings, not an appraisal of the clubs. Having said that, both are probably true sadly.

You are correct. My apologies to @Red But Mostly Blue . I would have sworn black and blue that what I proposed was correct. My ears are getting old - maybe that's it.

1 minute ago, Neil Crompton said:

You are correct. My apologies to @Red But Mostly Blue . I would have sworn black and blue that what I proposed was correct. My ears are getting old - maybe that's it.

All good !! You're totally right tho thats how rumours start or things get remembered differently.

Even now there's a suggestion he liked the Pies facilities better than Melbourne but at that point he hadnt even seen them (or any point). More likely, he was just wearing his heart on his sleeve. I personally dont fault him for that.

11 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

You are correct. My apologies to @Red But Mostly Blue . I would have sworn black and blue that what I proposed was correct. My ears are getting old - maybe that's it.

All good mate, and appreciate the follow-up. My hearing ain't the best - years of listening to loud bands, irresponsibly at times, and two young kids at home keeping me dizzy enough (in the best ways possible) that I am not sure what day of the week it is at the best of times, and had filed this under 'not paying enough attention' haha