Key leader quits Melbourne as Clayton Oliver sold the farm by Geelong

Melbourne’s dramatic off-season has taken a fresh twist with head of leadership Jim Plunkett quitting the AFL club, 7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed.

The Demons are in the spotlight ahead of the trade period for the second year running as Clayton Oliver considers his future despite being under contract until 2030.

While the possibility of a trade was quickly put to bed by Melbourne last season, the 27-year-old is reading the tea leaves this time and has already met with Geelong officials and players.

Oliver’s future has come under question just weeks after the Dees staved off frustration from Christian Petracca and his camp to keep the Norm Smith medallist from exploring a move.

Whatever happens in the trade period, Melbourne will enter the off-season and 2025 campaign undergoing change behind the scenes.

Plunkett — a crucial figure trusted by senior coach Simon Goodwin and working between the football department and club management — has left the Demons after eight years.

The former AFL player, who made 47 appearances for the Bulldogs and Carlton, joined Melbourne in 2016 following a stint with Leading Teams.

Plunkett held key roles on the bench on matchday and once ran growth sessions — an idea formed by Goodwin — to help players and coaches create bonds and deepen relationships.

Initially the Demons’ general manager of people and culture, Plunkett later stepped up to become head of leadership, learning and development.

He has departed Melbourne to form his own leadership performance business, Telos Performance Partners, alongside former Melbourne assistant coach Greg Stafford and Adelaide Crows high performance boss Darren Burgess, who previously worked at the Demons.

Melbourne’s next move in the leadership space will be a priority stemming from the club’s ongoing review that is due to be completed by the end of October.

Meanwhile, Oliver is weighing up whether to call the club’s bluff and push for a move.

He spent time with Geelong veterans Tom Stewart and Rhys Stanley at Stanley’s farm on Tuesday as the pair led a pitch for 2025.

“I wish I lived on a farm, would have been sick, I love the farm,” Oliver said on an Unlaced podcast episode released this week.

Oliver’s Dees deal peaks at over $1.5 million per season.

Whether the Cats would pay all of it, or Melbourne concede and agree to chip in as part of a broader trade package, will be the stumbling block on any deal.

Oliver is getting his head around a move but open to staying, and has hit back at critics of Melbourne’s culture.

“They’re not in there with us. It’s a load of s***,” he said.

He has already acknowledged he needs a big summer.

“I’ll be coming back to one of those early sessions just to tick it off and get in front of the media, get everyone off my back,” he said.