Demons captain Max Gawn shares health update on Clayton Oliver after star’s seizure – and defends Melbourne’s culture following off-season controversies

Demons captain Max Gawn has shared a health update on Clayton Oliver, who was recently hospitalised after suffering a worrying seizure that resulted in a head injury.

Oliver was rushed to the emergency department of Footscray Hospital, with the Herald Sun reporting that he hit his head during what the club described as a ‘medical episode’.

He underwent a CT scan and an X-ray before being cleared of any serious injuries and was discharged early the next morning.

The incident came after concerning reports about the star’s behaviour off the field and rumours that he might be traded from Melbourne.

Gawn revealed he is in daily contact with the 26-year-old and that he’s helping him with his personal problems.

There have been concerning reports about Oliver’s behaviour off the field

‘I’m in pretty good dialogue with him and we talk every day – he’s been at my house for a while,’ Gawn told 7NEWS Melbourne.

‘I think Clayton’s going really well.

‘I understand the noise that is coming about Clayton could really bring someone down but I think the support that he’s got around him, will help him get through it.’

Earlier in the week, the club was rocked by news that Demons star Joel Smith tested positive to cocaine on match day  – and will now face a three-month ban.

Gawn backed the Demons to get through these off-field controversies. 

‘There’s been some stuff over the past few weeks. I feel like this happens at most clubs – there’s adversity here, adversity there. Ours has obviously all come at once,’ he said.

‘We’re certainly not invincible. I’m certainly not invincible.

‘I’m certainly very bullish on the culture we’ve built over the last three or four years that it can withstand adversity like this and we’re able to get in the top four again like we have the past three years.’

Demons star Joel Smith is facing a three-month ban for a positive cocaine

Gawn has backed his club to return to top form next year and get past recent controversies

Before Oliver’s health status was made clear, vile online gossip surfaced, with shocking and unfounded rumours that he had died. Those rumours were put to bed following Melbourne’s statement.

Oliver was also the subject of rumours about his health earlier this season when he missed three months of football after suffering a minor hamstring strain, followed by an infected blister that put him in hospital for four days.

There was even unfounded scuttlebutt that he had to be hospitalised due to an infection he suffered while giving himself a tattoo.

‘The other suggested reasons for him not playing are ridiculous and disappointing and bloody hard for Clayton and his family and friends to deal with,’ Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said at the time.