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Caroline Wilson has declared that Melbourne leaders were “astonished” by Clayton Oliver’s post match interview following the Demons’ 45-point victory over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.
Oliver collected 35 disposals in the Dees’ first win of the year, after his return to the side was fast tracked due to the heartbreaking medical retirement of Angus Brayshaw on the eve of the season.
On top of his stellar game, when he was brought to the bench in the dying moments of the match, he received a standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd.
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Oliver spoke openly post win with captain Max Gawn, expressing his deep gratitude for the club and their fans for their unwavering support for him.
“It’s been a tough couple of months, but to have Gawny the whole time, and the rest of the boys help me out … it’s all worth it at the end of the day,” Oliver said on Fox Footy post match.
The 26-year-old even noted how he felt he was a long way off repaying the group for the troubles he caused in the off season.
“No definitely not (paid back), still got a lot of work to do. Little steps along the way. This is one of them to be a better person and better teammate,” he said.
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Oliver has been in the spotlight over the off-season for multiple reasons, including his early exit from the club’s training camp at the end of 2023, following intense trade speculation as well as a brief hospital visit.
There was also suggestions that there was internal distrust within the Demons’ four walls due to the erratic behaviour from Oliver.
However, his performance not just on the field on Sunday breathed new hope into Melbourne’s key senior leaders that Oliver is on the right track to return to his best.
“They still think there will be issues, but having said that, they (Melbourne) were astonished at that interview he did post-game with Max Gawn by his side,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
“Astonished by the new Clayton Oliver they’re seeing.
“Will it work forever, who knows? But after some very tough and brutal conversations, they stripped things right back.”
Coach Simon Goodwin opened up on the work that the Demons have put in behind the scenes to bring Oliver back up to scratch.
“Gary Pert (Melbourne CEO), Alan Richardson (Dees footy boss) and his (Oliver’s) management group, we’ve got a great plan for him to come in and execute, along with the welfare and medical team. He’s bought into it,” Goodwin said post match on Sunday.
Wilson backed the work done by Goodwin and the Demons’ most important figures to support the troubled star.
“What Simon Goodwin was talking about there is the highest of high level talks, surrounding a player who deserves all the micro-management he gets because he’s such a good player,” Wilson said.
“I thought he justified his selection in round one and opening round in spades against the Western Bulldogs.”
The Demons now look ahead to their match against Hawthorn, hoping to go 2-1 to start their season.
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