Melbourne great Garry Lyon says there are positive signs that midfield superstar Clayton Oliver is taking positive steps in his return to the game after a challenging period over the off-season.

Lyon, who has been in contact with Oliver, said the midfielder had started to understand the “gravity” of getting every step right in his return to the game. Oliver had spent time away from the club and returned to training late as he dealt with personal challenges.

Lyon said the club – who have dealt with the midfielder being hospitalised in a “a medical episode” in October before he was charged with driving on a suspended license in December – had handled the Oliver situation well. The Demons had also challenged the 26-year-old following the 2023 season when he was briefly linked with a potential trade.

“I’m optimistic, cautiously optimistic” said Lyon, speaking at the Fox Footy and Kayo launch for season 2024.

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“I mean, I’m a little bit closer to it so I’m a bit careful about what I say. But I think he’s taking some steps forward, which are really important, and I think Melbourne have handled it really well in a really difficult situation, with support from the AFL, which I think is important.

“And I think Clayton, he’s started to understand the gravity of and the importance of getting every little step right. Not just some steps right and then a step back.”

Confirming that he had been in contact with Oliver, Lyon, a Fox commentator, said he could relate to some, though not all, of what Oliver was experiencing. Lyon, a long-time Melbourne skipper and star forward, said Oliver could be Melbourne’s best player in the club’s history if he worked out his issues.

“We wake up – I do anyway, as a Clayton lover and a Melbourne supporter – nervous, but the signs appear to be pretty good.