Melbourne has named Clayton Oliver for their pre-season match simulation against Richmond on Sunday, just three weeks since he returned to the club.
Oliver had been absent from the club while dealing with a host of personal issues that date as far back as last year.
The superstar midfielder had an injury-riddled season in 2023 but played below his best even when fit, with repeated questions over his lack of professionalism and poor off-field behaviour levelled at him.
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He was then the subject of intense trade speculation at the end of the season before he and the club re-committed to his monster seven-year contract.
But that was the least of his worries throughout a tumultuous off-season, which spiraled out of control when he spent time in hospital following a seizure that resulted in a head injury.
Oliver later left Melbourne’s pre-season camp early to deal with personal issues, and withdrew completely from the program weeks later for the same reason.
Only three weeks ago did the 26-year-old re-join his teammates at Gosch’s Paddock, albeit on a modified training program initially.
Having seen enough though, Melbourne coaching staff have given the four-time club best and fairest winner his first chance at redemption, naming him in an extended squad to have a seven-period hitout against the Tigers on Sunday.
It’s unclear how much action Oliver will take part in on Sunday, but it’s likely he will be on limited minutes, given his patchy summer.
Elsewhere for the Dees, Angus Brayshaw has not been named to play as he continues to recover from the latest in a string of concussions he has suffered throughout his career, which occurred during last year’s qualifying final against Collingwood — controversially so.
Charlie Spargo, Shane McAdam and Tom McDonald are among the notable names absent from the squad.
For the Tigers, none of Toby Nankervis, Dylan Grimes, Dion Prestia, Dustin Martin, Tim Taranto or Tom Lynch will be there.
Grimes (calf), Martin (ankle) and Prestia (hamstring) are all on track to feature in the Tigers’ AFL Community Series clash with Collingwood later this months, while Lynch is still a fair way off recovering from serious foot surgery that saw him miss the back half of last year.
The power forward has been ruled out of Richmond’s Opening Round matchup with Gold Coast, but is aiming to be there for Round 1 against Carlton the following Thursday night.
Nankervis is a certain starter for Opening Round, despite a niggling sore foot.
There are eight other club-arranged match simulations which will be played between February 21 and 24, the format of which is up to the clubs involved.
Official practice matches for all clubs will then follow.
