WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Greene thrilled with Oliver after first training.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n After meeting with Geelong<\/a> post the 2024 season in an attempt to organise a trade to the Cattery, Oliver reluctantly continued playing in the red and blue.<\/p>\n At the time, then-coach Simon Goodwin and president Brad Green were adamant the 2021 premiership player was a required player who was going nowhere.<\/p>\n But 12 months later, when new coach Steven King was appointed to replace Goodwin, Oliver got the tap on the shoulder he was least expecting.<\/a><\/p>\n In an interview with News Corp<\/a>, Oliver has opened up on the tumultuous end to his time at Melbourne<\/a> and what led him to join the GWS Giants.<\/a><\/p>\n The 2021 premiership star revealed he was in his hometown of Echuca preparing to head to Sydney to catch up with some of his close friends when he received an unexpected call from his old side, Melbourne, to discuss his future.<\/p>\n \u201cI got the call at 9pm that I had to be in Melbourne for a meeting at 1pm, and had the flight at 2pm. So that was a bit annoying, but it is what it is,\u201d Oliver said.<\/p>\n In a conversation that lasted just 12 minutes<\/a> before their shattered star took off, Oliver, who had five years to run on his multimillion-dollar contract, was advised to search for a new home.<\/p>\n And not only was he told to seek his options, but in an indication of how keen they were to have him off their books, they would chip in half of his wage to make it happen.<\/p>\n \u201cI was getting pushed out by the Dees, which is completely fine. The Dees had a different view on things, and they were going in a different direction, and that\u2019s fine,\u201d Oliver continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve moved on from it. It was an in-house meeting, so what was said in there doesn\u2019t really matter. It\u2019s the industry we live in; a lot of people get traded, and it\u2019s what was best for both parties at the time. So, all the best to Melbourne.\u201d<\/p>\n His past three years were riddled with incidents, including a mystery hospital admission following a seizure that resulted in a head injury that he claimed was due to ADHD and lack of sleep due to stress.<\/a><\/p>\n While the midfielder acknowledged his behaviour could have been better at times, Oliver did not think moving clubs was the solution.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d been at the club for 10 years and probably wasn\u2019t the most well-behaved person in the world,\u201d Oliver said.<\/p>\n \u201cI was up and down there for a bit, and everyone has their own little battles.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a couple of years where I wasn\u2019t too great, and I honestly didn\u2019t think a move was the best thing for me at the time. But now looking back on it, it probably was.<\/p>\n \u201cI loved game day, I loved training and all that. I don\u2019t know what happened, really. It was a bit up and down, losing a bit of purpose in life and footy. I got injured in \u201823, and s*** hit the fan, pretty much.\u201d<\/p>\n While he said the way his time ended at Melbourne wasn\u2019t ideal, he has moved on and was excited to be wanted by the Giants.<\/p>\n He was blown away by the interest from Adam Kingsley and co that by the time Collingwood also expressed interest, his decision was made.<\/p>\n In a frightening prospect for opposition sides, the three-time All-Australian said he\u2019s \u201cas fit as he\u2019s ever been\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t usually come back in the best nick in December or before Christmas, but the boys have blown me away,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I\u2019m in a better place, I feel good, probably the best I\u2019ve felt in three or four years.\u201d<\/p>\n And he immediately impressed his new captain, Toby Greene.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s (Oliver) turned up in unbelievable nick,\u201d Greene said earlier this month.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to our team and midfield.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guy has been there, done that, and been one of the better players in the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n The 28-year-old also spoke about his run-in with 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really care, I just had a few issues with a few people in Melbourne, and I don\u2019t shy away from it too much, I tell them how it is,\u201d Oliver said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt gets me in trouble now and again. But it was nice to see the Giants laugh about it, opposed to getting in trouble for it.<\/p>\n \u201cI probably would have got in trouble at the Dees and been sat down and told what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n But now he\u2019s keen to give his all for his new side.<\/p>\n Having tasted the sweetness of grand final glory with his former side, Oliver now wants to help Kingsley\u2019s side reach premiership success.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning one with the Dees was the best feeling ever, and that\u2019s why I chose the Giants, I was excited they wanted me, and was trying to think where I\u2019d fit in the team because they\u2019ve got a handy list and have been up the top of the table,\u201d Oliver said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just excited to be a part of what the Giants can build.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bobby Hill cops another setback after nightmare year<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n![\"Melbourne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/c595789956447138223b34f05391256abff7e787.jpg\")
Melbourne premiership star Clayton Oliver has opened up about his exit from Melbourne and what led him to join the GWS Giants Credit: Getty<\/p>\n![\"Clayton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8eb0e06d22b67e7218f8b4e9b7792ddaf3aa8277.jpg\")
Clayton Oliver has impressed since joining the Giants. Credit: Instagram<\/p>\n