JACK Viney is confident Clayton Oliver will stay at Melbourne beyond this season as the midfielder returned to training.
Oliver needed time off over the last few days for personal reasons and missed the Demons’ win over West Coast, sparking fresh speculation about his playing future.
But Viney, the Demons vice-captain, said Oliver was at training on Tuesday and expects him to play in Saturday’s big game against Hawthorn.
“‘Clars’ was back in today and he looked back to his old self. He just needed take a bit of time to look after himself,” Viney said.
“Clayton was there today, full training and we expect him to train fully on Thursday.”
Asked if thought Oliver would be at Melbourne beyond this season, Viney replied: “I expect him to, yes – he’s a terrific teammate”.
Viney added that key defender Steven May is in “great spirits” after he and Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia were interviewed by Victoria Police over a Boxing Day brawl last year at Sorrento, south of Melbourne.
After starting the season with five losses, the Demons have won their last three.
“It’s been good to get a few wins in a row, starting to find a bit of form,” Viney said.
“But we have to keep chipping away, we’re coming from a fair way behind.
Viney was speaking in Melbourne at the launch of the 11th Big Freeze fundraiser for the Fight MND charity, held at the King’s Birthday match next month against Collingwood.
