With rumours growing stronger by the day over a potential Clayton Oliver trade away from Melbourne, further reports have surfaced into the factured relationship between the club and the star midfielder.

The Demons have not put Oliver on the trading block, but they would be open to a deal if they get a stack of high draft picks in return, according to reports.

And according to SEN‘s Sam Edmund, the Demons have handed Oliver an ultimatum following a series of alleged off-field misdemeanours: ‘Shape up or ship off’.

“Fed-up Demons officials have told their troubled midfielder that they need a commitment from him – a renewed commitment – that he will once again conform to the standards and expectations that the club demands,” Edmund reported.

“They have made a series of demands to Oliver that include the need to treat club staff with respect, to treat teammates with respect, prepare the way that he should and to turn up to training in the proper condition.

“It can be revealed that Melbourne’s reluctance – which we’ve all been curious about – to squash the frenzied trade talk surrounding the 26-year-old is exclusively due to its exasperation with Oliver’s increasingly erratic behaviour.

“Oliver is said to have lost his way at times during a difficult campaign interrupted by injury, but it’s his behaviour since the Dees’ straight-sets finals demise that has deeply concerned many at club headquarters.

“Sources I’ve spoken to with an intimate knowledge of this rocky Oliver-Demons relationship described this as football’s version of an intervention, rather than a push to the exit door.”

It has been reported by Fox Footy that Oliver was late to his club exit meeting, and missed another post-season meeting due to illness.

According to Edmund, it has been this dissatisfaction from the club – as well as Oliver’s reported anger at Demons medical stuff in their handling of his long-term hamstring injury that wiped out much of the second half of his 2023 campaign – that has led to rival clubs ‘smelling blood in the water’, fuelling trade speculation.

The response clubs received has left the door ajar for the four-time best and fairest to depart Melbourne in the trade period, according to two sources with direct knowledge of discussions.

Oliver missed 11 games with a hamstring injury this season and after polling 25 Brownlow Medal votes last year, his absence was costly for the Demons’ campaign.

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

He was a part of their finals disappointment when after finishing fourth, they went straight out the back door with losses to Collingwood and Carlton.

Under contract until the end of 2030, Oliver would have to agree to be traded for any deal to go ahead for the talented on-baller.

Likely No.1 pick Harley Reid would be in Melbourne’s sights but West Coast have indicated they are unlikely to give up top spot in the draft.

Melbourne teammates, according to SEN, have become frustrated and concerned with Oliver’s commitment, particularly when he engaged in a public spat with strength and conditioning chief Selwyn Griffith.

The three-time All-Australian went outside the club’s staff to have a knee injury treated last month.

SEN also reported that Oliver’s foot became infected after he tried to tattoo himself earlier in the year. The club said at the time that he had a blister which became infected but his condition worsened to the extent he was hospitalised.

The trade period will open on Monday, October 9, and run through until Wednesday, October 18.

with AAP