A couple of off-field incidents in recent weeks have put Clayton Oliver back in the trade spotlight

A couple of off-field incidents in recent weeks have put Clayton Oliver back in the trade spotlight for the second time in 12 months.

It’s understood Oliver’s recent behaviour has again tested the patience of some teammates, while the club has been disappointed in some things he has not committed to.

Sources have insisted the midfielder is in a far better place than last off-season and was training at the club yesterday, but given the events of a year ago, there are people at Melbourne who have run out of patience with Oliver.

Industry figures confirmed Demons chief executive Gary Pert had sounded out a few clubs over a possible trade for Oliver, who has a very lucrative six years remaining on his contract at Melbourne.

But the issue for the Dees is that rival clubs have made it clear they no longer hold a level of interest in Oliver that would see them part with anything significant in a trade, nor anything significant when it comes to fulfilling his significant contract.

Separately, Oliver also held talks with Geelong officials on Tuesday in a meeting understood to be initiated by the player’s management team.

Melbourne’s coaching staff, led by Simon Goodwin, want to keep Oliver at the club and, while constantly aware of his challenges, are determined to back him in and see him return to his best form in 2025.

The football department is bullish that Oliver, 27, can complete one of the biggest pre-seasons of his career to set a platform for a big 2025 season.

Oliver is a four-time best and fairest winner, triple All-Australian and won a premiership in 2021.

He was last year hit with an ultimatum to lift his standards, with the Demons exasperated by his erratic behaviour.