STRENGTHS:

+ Intercepting
+ Kicking
+ Reading the play
+ Toughness
+ Vision
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Accumulation
- Four-quarter consistency

Oliver's bread and butter is distributing the ball by foot. He's one of, if not the best left-foot kick in the draft and consistently opens up the game with incisive passes. His vision and decision making are excellent, helping him identify and execute options across both short and long ranges. His average 16.3 disposals at the National Championships hit at an 83 per cent efficiency rate, with Oliver ably piercing the opposition's defensive zones, or clearing them.

Another trait which has served Oliver well across the journey is his intercepting. Opposition forwards would detest playing on him, such was his intercept prowess, and that has carried all the way through to his top-age season. Oliver reads the play well to mop up at ground level and competes bravely in the air. He is capable of reeling in marks at full stretch or going back with the flight, essentially playing above his height in that regard.

It's that kind of competitiveness and constant motion, along with his playmaking, that has seen Oliver labelled the "heartbeat" of Sandringham's side by coach Rob Harding. His work rate is phenomenal and not only will he put his body on the line defensively, but he also contributes repeat efforts on the attack. He's the type of player who can control the ball in slow play or spark quick transitions with his overlap running.

While often reliable and quite consistent from week-to-week, Oliver can look to chance his four-quarter output. He will sometimes have a standout quarter or two, but is the kind of player coaches will want to repeatedly be fed the ball to dictate play throughout the game. It shows in his disposal numbers, where barring school footy, his highest haul was 25 at the National Championships. His best was 19 in the Coates Talent League, twice.

Oliver also hinted at improving his ground balls during preseason. At 181cm, he will be hard pressed to be as impactful in the air at the next level, and with his secondary position being in midfield, you can never be too good at the fundamentals. Oliver showed growth in that area in his breakout game against the Allies, proving polished in the wet conditions by both hand and foot.