Christian Petracca on his decision to leave Melbourne and join the Gold Coast Suns
Christian Petracca reveals the defining reasons why he left Melbourne as he embarks on the next chapter of his life on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Suns’ superstar recruit Christian Petracca says his trade request was not about escaping the “Melbourne bubble” but purely a football decision declaring he “can go to another level” on the Glitter Strip.
Petracca revealed it was Damien Hardwick’s vision for the future that ultimately sold him on choosing the Suns over the Crows in a move that saw him depart Demonland after 11 years, 212 games, a 2021 premiership and Norm Smith Medal, four All-Australians and two club best and fairests.
“For me, Dimma Hardwick was really impressive,” Petracca said from the Suns’ facilities on Friday.
“I sat down with (Suns midfield coach) Shaun Grigg and got clarity on my role and what it looks like and from the moment I walked in here everyone has made me feel really valued and respected.
“Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts; guys came to the club and made us feel welcome.
“Every year you see the Suns getting better and better and I want to be part of something special.”
Despite an off-season of wholesale changes at Melbourne headlined by the sacking of senior coach Simon Goodwin, Petracca revealed his only conversation with new coach Steven King was a “brief chat on the phone” to let him know he was eager to continue his career elsewhere.
“I just told him about my idea of wanting a fresh start – and here I am now,” he said.
“I’m incredibly grateful and appreciative of my time at Melbourne. Eleven years there, (a) premiership player, life member – I’ve made so many special memories and friends that I will hold with me for the rest of my life.
“But for me, today, it is about the Suns. It is the next chapter of my life.”
He did however speak “pretty much every day through this trade period” with former midfield running mate Clayton Oliver, who also found a new home this week at the GWS Giants.
“I wouldn’t say (it is) goodbye because at the end of the day we’re still close friends despite footy,” Petracca said of Oliver.
“We will always remain close. We kept in contact pretty much every day through this trade period and I will definitely miss him for sure – I’ll miss all my ex-teammates to be honest, but that is footy.
“Our friendships run deeper than football.”
Petracca’s desire for a “fresh start” was made with football as the focus and the opportunity to add to what was already one of the most potent midfields in the AFL at the Suns.
“Footy was always the number one priority in my decision,” he said.
“I love my job, I’m passionate about football and I know I can go to another level with my football.
“It’s pretty crazy when you look at some of my teammates who live in the midfield with me – Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller, who I played a bit of footy with growing up.
“I don’t mind the ‘Melbourne bubble’. I’ve been there all my life, I grew up there. I love footy.
“I think for me the decision was about football and I’m absolutely excited to be a part of the Suns. What they are building is special, led by Noah Anderson who is an incredible captain.”
One of his first calls after the trade from Melbourne to Gold Coast was finalised on Wednesday was to new teammate Bailey Humphrey, whose own future became a topic of much speculation in recent weeks.
At one stage the Demons had hoped to include Humphrey as part of the Petracca negotiations, after their coach was photographed meeting with the young Sun ahead of the trade period.
But the Suns moved swiftly to rule out any potential trade for the 21 year old, who finished fourth in their best and fairest this year.
Instead Petracca and Humphrey will form one of the most explosive mid-forward combinations in the AFL next season and the former was eager to get a head start on their football chemistry.
“I’m incredibly excited to work with someone like him,” Petracca said of Humphrey.
“He reminds me of myself when I was at that age. (He is) raw, but he came fourth in the best and fairest too so basically a breakout year for him which is pretty scary considering how many more levels he can get to.
“We had a phone call the other day about his role and how excited I am to just play with him and learn, actually, off him in that role.
Trac is HYPED 🌴 pic.twitter.com/vZZU47UlDy
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) October 16, 2025
“We’ve actually been in contact for three or four years now. I think because from his draft year when I saw the highlights of him he reminded me of myself a little bit, just how raw he is and explosive.”
Petracca said he and his wife, Bella, would likely finalise the move to the Gold Coast next month.
“It is a big move but an exciting one,” he said.
“Change is sometimes scary but it also creates great opportunities.
“We’ll probably come a week beforehand and acclimatise a bit – it is hot, I did a running session the other day and I blew up a little bit which is pretty funny.
“Day one of pre-season, November 21 … I’m excited to be there.”
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Originally published as Christian Petracca on his decision to leave Melbourne and join the Gold Coast Suns
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