The Greater Western Sydney Giants could be on the verge of securing what some experts are calling “the biggest bargain of the last 10 years” in the AFL. Clayton Oliver, a standout midfielder from the Melbourne Demons, has expressed his desire to join GWS, opting for a move to Western Sydney over Collingwood.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Oliver had chosen GWS as his preferred destination. His manager, Nick Gieschen, confirmed the decision on Thursday night, stating that the Giants and Melbourne will now need to negotiate a deal.
“Clayton Oliver has confirmed his desire to be traded to GWS. GWS will now work with Melbourne to strike a deal between the clubs,” Gieschen said in a statement to AFL Media’s Callum Twomey.
GWS’s Swift Move to Secure Oliver
According to Nine’s Tom Morris, the Giants acted quickly once Oliver was advised to seek a new club. GWS officials were reportedly impressed by Oliver, and the midfielder was won over by coach Adam Kingsley and his team in just 48 hours.
The potential trade has generated significant buzz, with the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark suggesting that the deal could revolve around a future third-round draft pick. This would be a significant discount for a player of Oliver’s caliber, especially considering his previous form as one of the league’s top midfielders.
“He will be a discount pickup for the Giants,” Clark stated on Fox Footy’s Trading Day. “For a future third-round pick and considering the Demons are going to pick up as much as half of his salary … this is a free swing at the stumps.”
Oliver’s Career and the Giants’ Prospects
Oliver, 28, is contracted with the Demons for another five seasons. Despite playing at least 21 games in each of the past two seasons, his performance has dipped from the 2021-23 period when he was among the competition’s most dominant players. Former Hawthorn forward Ben Dixon is optimistic about Oliver’s potential impact at GWS.
“I think this could be the biggest bargain of the last 10 years,” Dixon said on Fox Footy. “At Melbourne, it was time to go. I just think a new start — we’ve seen so many players move clubs and be able to impact.”
GWS has a history of successfully integrating players from other clubs, with examples like Jake Stringer showcasing their ability to rejuvenate careers. Meanwhile, fellow Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane reflected on Melbourne’s missed opportunities in previous trade offers for Oliver.
“And if you’re a Melbourne supporter, you’re sitting back thinking ‘why didn’t we take the Adelaide offer a couple of years ago? Why didn’t we take the Geelong offer?’” McFarlane pondered.
Implications and Future Outlook
Oliver’s decision to explore new options comes despite being under contract, a move that Fox Sports News reporter David Zita believes could reignite his career.
“It’s a good little firestarter for him if he’s lacking motivation,” Zita said on Trading Day. “For a club that’s effectively just kicked him out of the club, the way they’ve gone about it — yes, they respect him, he’s a champion of the football club, but they’re going to pay a lot of his money for him to play elsewhere.”
Ben Dixon further praised the culture at GWS under coach Adam Kingsley, highlighting the high standards and supportive environment that could benefit Oliver.
“I can tell you right now, the standards and the culture at the Giants is as high as you’ll get. Adam Kingsley has got a really well-oiled machine running there,” Dixon noted.
As the AFL trade period unfolds, all eyes will be on the negotiations between GWS and Melbourne. If the deal goes through, it could mark a significant turning point for both Oliver and the Giants, potentially altering the competitive landscape of the league.
