Melbourne star Clayton Oliver admits he’s still feeling sore in his troublesome hamstring and has lamented inaccurate speculation around his ongoing absence.
Coach Simon Goodwin on Thursday night conceded Oliver could miss another match as he took aim at “garbage” speculation surrounding the gun midfielder.
The social media rumour mill went into overdrive on Thursday as Oliver sat out a fourth consecutive game, with the Demons suffering a 15-point defeat to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Furious club officials got on the front foot, using a series of media interviews to reject suggestions that behavioural issues were behind Oliver’s stint on the sidelines.
The midfielder had his own say on Friday, admitting he’d been more concerned his family would be affected by inaccurate rumours.
“It hasn’t affected me too much. I’m just lucky it’s me and not someone else,” Oliver told the Seven Network.
“I’ve still got a mum and dad and nan and pop and grandma, so they see all that and it’s a bit disappointing.
“The Melbourne Football club as well, we’re building such a great culture and a really good environment and it’s probably not something we want to be associated with.”
Oliver, who was due to have further scans on Friday, described his injury as: “a bit sore, bit sore. Getting there”.
The 25-year-old ball magnet has been out of action since round 10, when he sustained a minor hamstring injury.
An infected blister meant he spent five days in hospital, which the Demons believe contributed to the hamstring tightening up again.
“Anyone that thinks they know better than that, come and walk into our environment and find out,” Goodwin told reporters on Thursday night.
“He’s off for a hamstring scan tomorrow. We’re hopeful it’s ok and he can continue to progress.
“He’s training to a certain level but he’s not quite there yet. He’s not the type of player that you risk and we’re going to make sure he’s fully fit and ready to go.
“Hopefully the scan comes back all clear but for all the other rubbish that’s out there, it’s just garbage. I hope we can put that one to bed.”
Asked if he was disappointed about the public speculation surrounding one of the game’s best midfielders, Goodwin said it was part of the AFL industry.
“What people want to believe and what they think is right … the facts are he’s got a hamstring (injury) and we’re trying to work him back to full fitness,” Goodwin said.
“He spent five nights in hospital on an IV drip for a pretty serious infection and he’s still got that tight hamstring, so we’re going to make sure he’s right.”
Goodwin has been bullish about Oliver’s imminent return in recent weeks but is now only “hopeful” the match-winner will play against GWS in Alice Springs on July 2.
The coach eased fears over ruckman Brodie Grundy, who copped a head knock during the second half against Geelong but passed a concussion test and returned to the action.