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Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart shares details on Clayton Oliver meeting as blockbuster trade looms

Ben Sutton7NEWS Sport
VideoThe star Cat is hoping his pitch helps land the Demons midfielder

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart has shared details on his meeting with Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver as the Cats hope to pull off a stunning trade coup.

Oliver’s future was thrust into the spotlight earlier this week after it emerged clubs were willing to make a play for the gun midfielder and Geelong were at the top of the list.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tom Stewart speaks about Clayton Oliver meeting.

The 27-year-old met with Stewart, Rhys Stanley and other Geelong officials at Stanley’s farm on Tuesday.

He came out of that meeting wanting a trade to the Cats, but it’s looming as one of the most complex moves in recent history.

Oliver is contracted to the Demons on big money until the end of 2030.

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The two parties would not only have to agree on a suitable trade for the four-time best and fairest, but also how his contract is paid out with the potential for Melbourne to contribute a portion of money a real possibility.

At his best, Oliver is among the top midfielders in the competition, but he also comes with significant baggage after a string of off-field issues in the past 18 months.

Stewart was pleased with how the meeting went, but knows a lot needs to go right for the trade to happen.

Tom Stewart is hoping the Cats can land Clayton Oliver.
Camera IconTom Stewart is hoping the Cats can land Clayton Oliver. Credit: Channel 7 / Getty

“It was good, obviously any sort of talent we can attract to the club is important for us, so I had the opportunity to meet with him and it is an interesting thing for me in my stage of the career, but it went well, he’s a good man,” he told 7NEWS.

“It’s not really pitching anything, it’s sort of enlightening him as to what we’re about as a footy club and the things we hold dear and really value.

“There are a lot of things that need to happen for the potential deal to get done but as I said earlier, if we can attract talent to the club, that is what we are about.”

7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said that the Cats now waiting for Melbourne to make the next move.

“The Cats believe this is being led by Melbourne so they feel like they don’t need to do much more now and wait for Melbourne to make the next move,” he said.

It’s looming as a bumper trade period for Geelong.

Western Bulldogs superstar Bailey Smith has requested a trade to the Cats, while former Blue Jack Martin will join the club as a free agent.

If Oliver joins as well then the Cats will fancy their chances of going all the way next year after they fell 10 points short of eventual premiers Brisbane in the preliminary final.

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