Clayton Oliver was sold a star-studded midfield dream when he met with Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart and premiership ruckman Rhys Stanley at Stanley’s farm on Tuesday.

However, any deal for the Demon to get to the Cats during the upcoming trade period remains a long way off, with Melbourne continuing to distance themselves from any potential trade for the four-time best-and-fairest winner.

Oliver, who is contracted to Melbourne until the end of the 2030 season, met first with Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking before travelling to Stanley’s farm, where several Cats teammates have been working this week, to meet with him and Stewart.

A source close to Oliver and a Geelong source, who both agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that Stanley’s farm was chosen as the location in an attempt to keep the meeting private.

This masthead reported on Monday that Oliver had felt increasingly unwanted at the Demons this season, and on Tuesday broke the news of his meeting with the Cats. 

Stanley recently purchased a property in Moriac, south-west of Geelong.

Oliver, Stanley and Stewart discussed the prospect of a Geelong midfield in 2025 being made up of Bailey Smith – who is expected to join from the Western Bulldogs on a six-year deal – Max Holmes, Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn, Patrick Dangerfield and Oliver.

Two sources close to Oliver said the 27-year-old left Geelong excited about the prospect of wearing the blue and white hoops in 2025, but that he accepted a trade may be complicated.

More to come

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.