Clayton Oliver reveals why he was REALLY hospitalized as the Melbourne star opens up about the “stressful” off-season that left him on thin ice with his club
- Clayton Oliver has broken his silence about his tumultuous offseason
- The soccer star was hospitalized three weeks ago
- He says the last few weeks have been “stressful.”
Clayton Oliver has rubbished “nonsensical” rumors about his off-field problems as the Melbourne star revealed what really happened the day he was taken to hospital.
Oliver, 26, has had a difficult 2023 as speculation grew about his professionalism and cast doubt over his future with the Demons.
As a result, he was the subject of trade reports, while stories about his off-field behavior circulated.
He spent a short stay in hospital three weeks ago after suffering a seizure that resulted in a head injury, and speaking to 7NEWS, Oliver said he was under a lot of pressure, both physically and mentally.
“It was a little stressful, I don’t normally go through that,” he said.
Clayton Oliver has broken his silence about his tumultuous postseason struggles
The Melbourne midfielder is on thin ice with his club due to behavioral issues
Oliver revealed that a combination of lack of sleep due to stress, prescription medication and a grueling day at the gym led to his collapse at teammate Joel Smith’s house.
“I’m on medication for my ADHD, so I’ve been talking to doctors about it for a while, and I was kind of light-headed and had a high heart rate, it was affecting me quite a bit, and I kind of fainted.” “I’m having an off day with the Wattbike,” said Oliver.
“I was sleeping in bed with Joel and got up to get a drink and when I knew I was on the floor.”
Oliver’s statement came after Melbourne boss Gary Pert penned an explosive letter to fans in which he effectively took notice of the midfielder, while coach Simon Goodwin also warned him to adhere to the club’s “minimum standards of conduct”.
But the superstar said he was less than happy about his personal issues being brought back into the spotlight.
“I thought it was all done,” he said. “But yes, there are few matters in my name that are fair enough.” But I don’t know why it came out again.
“If they didn’t want me (I would have left).
“I didn’t want to leave – I love the club, I love the boys.” Dear Goody, always looked after me and had my back. Riding me hard but in a good way. I owe my career to him. I would never leave someone who was so loyal to me.
“I just want to do my best for the club, be the best teammate I can be and the best person for the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.