ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Clayton Oliver of the Demons is chased by Wayne Milera of the Crows during the 2018 AFL round 10 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at TIO Traeger Park on May 27, 2018 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Former Demons skipper Garry Lyon has labelled Clayton Oliver a "freakish talent", saying he is underrated across the competition.
The 20-year old came up big for Melbourne in their thumping 91-point win over Adelaide at Alice Springs, accumulating 31 disposals, 16 of those contested, 10 tackles, 10 clearances and eight inside 50s.
And Lyon has been quick to praise the tough midfielder for his impressive start to 2018, carrying on from a breakout 2017.
“He’s still 20, this kid. He’s one of the best players to emerge on the scene in the last 20 years,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.
“His work rate in the last quarter was enormous. He was pushing himself as hard at the end when they were 80 points up as he was at the start.”
Essendon great Tim Watson agreed with Lyon, saying the the youngster needs to start getting the plaudits he deserves.
“You know what, Oliver does everything and nobody notices,” Watson said.
“This is what happened on the weekend, I think he had 18 touches in the first half and at half-time, the broadcasters said they didn’t even notice him.
“He is a freakish talent, I don’t know if anyone moves quicker from contest to contest when it’s in his area.”
Oliver ranks in the top five in the competition for contested possessions, centre clearances, clearances, handballs and tackles in 2018.