Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver confirmed his position among the AFL elite and joined of the club’s greatest names by taking out his fourth club best and fairest award on Friday night.
The 25-year-old has now been named club champion in four of his seven seasons at the Demons and added the Keith “Bluey” Truscott Memorial Trophy to an enormous 2022 haul of awards.
Oliver was also named the joint winner of the AFL Coaches Association’s player of the year award for the second season in a row and earnt his third All-Australian blazer.
He also came equal fourth in the Brownlow Medal, racking up 25 votes after a stellar season in which he only missed one game, returning after surgery to repair a broken thumb to play out Melbourne’s unsuccessful finals campaign.
“For Clayton to be awarded his fourth club best and fairest at such a young age is an incredible effort and something he should be really proud of,” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of Oliver’s win.
“Clayton has had another consistent season, where he has been able to perform his role to an exceptional level, while winning his own footy and driving his teammates to new levels.
“He works incredibly hard on improving his game every week and there is no coincidence that the work he does has reflected Clayton’s outstanding season.”
Oliver joined club greats Allan La Fontaine and Jim Stynes in winning a fourth club champion award, beating out superstar teammate Christian Petracca, who also finished just behind him in the Brownlow.
All-Australian defender Steven May came third, with Jack Viney fourth and Angus Brayshaw fifth.
Despite missing out on the finals and playing just 17 games for 2022, Jake Bowey was deemed the club’s best young player.
2022 Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy – top 10
Clayton Oliver – 608 votes
Christian Petracca – 553 votes
Steven May – 473 votes
Jack Viney – 471 votes
Angus Brayshaw – 446 votes
Max Gawn – 430 votes
Bayley Fritsch – 395 votes
Kysaiah Pickett – 391 votes
Alex Neal-Bullen – 384 votes
Ed Langdon – 367 votes
