By ANNA HARRINGTON FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and JAMES COONEY, SENIOR SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has taken a cheeky shot at his team after being told to find another club following heated discussions with officials on Thursday morning.

Oliver, 28, was reportedly told on Wednesday evening that he had a meeting with the club at 10am on Thursday.

During the brief meeting with new coach Steven King and Demons officials, Oliver was told that the club would be happy for him to explore his options elsewhere, or he could play VFL next season.

The bombshell decision has shocked Oliver, who was looking forward to playing with the side, where he's contracted for the next five years at a rumoured $1million a season.

The four-time Melbourne best and fairest took to social media on Thursday to post a photo of himself playing with the club's VFL side, the Casey Demons.

Oliver tagged Seven reporter Mitch Cleary - who broke the news of the Demons' decision - and captioned the photo: 'Actually doesn't look too bad on me'.

Clayton Oliver has taken a shot at his team after being told to find another club

Oliver took to social media to post a photo of himself playing with the club's VFL side

The shock news comes as Melbourne teammate Christian Petracca has requested a trade from the club.

Petracca, one of the biggest names in the October 6-15 trade period, flew to Adelaide on Monday with his wife Bella and manager Anna Scullie, where he was set to meet with the Crows.

Gold Coast also have interest in the 2021 premiership Demon and Norm Smith medallist.

Petracca, 29, has played 212 games for the Dees and has four years left on his contract.

His Adelaide visit came 12 months after rampant trade speculation erupted surrounding Petracca and Oliver, before the two gun midfielders ultimately committed to Melbourne.

New chief executive Paul Guerra confirmed on Tuesday that Petracca was keen to head elsewhere for next season.

'We met with Christian late last week where he expressed his desire to explore a fresh start in 2026,' Guerra said in a letter to members released on Tuesday.

'Christian is contracted for a further four years and is a once-in-a-generation player.

The decision shocked Oliver (pictured with Isobel Cleary), who was looking forward to continuing his $1million-a-year contract with the side next season

The four-time best and fairest winner (pictured left) now looks certain to seek another club

'With this in mind, any decision regarding Christian's future will be made in the best interest of the Melbourne Football Club.'

Guerra's comments are a clear turnaround from last year, when the Demons were adamant they would not be trading the star midfielder despite Petracca agitating for a move.

He ultimately chose to remain at the club for 2025.

The Demons have also chosen to part ways with veteran defender Steven May, who played a leading role in the team's 2021 premiership.

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