Geelong’s position on a trade is further complicated by their pursuit of Bulldog midfielder Bailey Smith, who, unlike Oliver, is out of contract. Any Smith trade is near certain to involve Geelong’s first draft pick this year (no.16) as a starting point. Like Oliver, Smith is managed by the Connors Sports stable.

If Oliver was to join the Cats on his current contract, without the Demons contributing financially, he would be easily the highest-paid player at Geelong, ahead of Jeremy Cameron, who signed a six-year multi-million dollar contract at the end of 2020 when he left the Giants. The Cats have rarely overpaid for even the top-end players they have had, with Patrick Dangerfield joining them in 2015 on a deal that was then worth less than $1 million per season (six years), but with increases in the salary cap (total player payments) built into the contract.

The Cats will be thorough in assessing the issues surrounding Oliver, who had a turbulent off-season after 2023, spent time away from the club and had a restricted pre-season training regime.

Under Chris Scott, Geelong have been willing to take on players with significant off-field issues, including Tyson Stengle.