Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones says he would be putting his money on young teammate Clayton Oliver for the Brownlow Medal if he was permitted to bet, such has been the form of the 19-year-old so far this season.
Oliver has averaged 31.7 disposals in the openign six rounds, with a disposal efficiency of 81 per cent and has an average of five score involvements per game.
Speaking on SEN Radio on Thursday morning, Jones says Oliver is the best young player he has seen in his time in the game.
“I would if I could…If I was a betting man, I’d get around him,” Jones said.
“I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen a better young player, to be honest, in 11 or 12 years of playing."
The 229-game veteran says when Oliver was caught drink driving last November, it sparked a change in attitude for the youngster.
Oliver was fined an undisclosed amount by the club and was forced to “source his own road safety education and organise an expert to present to the players on the dangers of drink-driving and the link to road trauma” following the incident.
“I reckon from that moment he really has matured and just taken control of his career,” he said.
“I saw a drastic change in his body shape and his commitment to his training and preparation.
"Obviously the start to the season he has had has been a significant reward for that and now he’s coupled that with being really driven and disciplined.
“We’re getting a really consistent player that’s just an absolute bull in the midfield.”
Oliver has now played 19 games for the Dees since being selected with pick No.4 in the 2015 National Draft.
SEN Breakfast co-host Tim Watson agreed that Oliver would be in Brownlow Medal contention at the moment.
“I’ve watched every game that he has played this year and there is a chance he would very much right now in the voting for the Brownlow based on his performances this year,” Watson said.
