Track Watch: Christian Petracca trains days after cracking ribs at Melbourne training

Christian Petracca’s pre-season took a major hit at Dees training last Friday, but the superstar midfielder appears to have shaken off his latest rib injury as Melbourne hit the track on Monday.

Christian Petracca has shown no signs of discomfort as he trained just three days after cracking his ribs at Melbourne training.

The superstar midfielder was on light duties but ran laps and took in some power movement drills with ease.

Petracca suffered the blow to his ribs on Friday, almost seven months to the day since a brutal collision when playing against Collingwood that lead to broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and partially punctured lung.

That horrific injury ruled Petracca out of the back-end of the 2024 season but he has had a strong pre-season to date and he posted on social media on Sunday that he was “feeling good physically and mentally”.

No visible discomfort for Christian Petracca at training this morning after cracked ribs last week. Light running for the champ pic.twitter.com/nRxfq1QLUp

— Josh Barnes (@Josh__Barnes) January 13, 2025

Christian Petracca at Melbourne training. Picture: David Crosling

Melbourne is yet to put in place a concrete plan to return Petracca to contact but the Norm Smith medallist will be able to keep his fitness up as his ribs recover.

Despite one of their star players copping a physical blow last week, Melbourne didn’t hesitate in getting into contact on Monday, stepping almost immediately into physical centre bounce and defensive set up drills that involved heavy tackling.

The midfielder wasn’t the only Demon away from the main group to start Monday’s session, with skipper Max Gawn, defender Jake Lever and youngster Taj Woewodin making up a triumvirate of players in fluoro caps, designated to non-contact.

Gawn fractured his larynx after suffering a nasty blow to his throat at training in December but his booming voice could be heard on the track when he joined in skill drills.

The ruck sweated out running when teammates went into contact mode.

Lever has been recovering from knee and shoulder injuries leading into 2025 but he took on some light tackling when sent to the sidelines.

Injury-prone defender Christian Salem limped off the track at one point, pointing to his lower right leg and seeking attention from the medical staff.

Ball winner Clayton Oliver pushed through a centre bounce drills despite at one point taking off his left boot to reveal extensive strapping around his ankle, foot and toes.

Originally published as Track Watch: Christian Petracca trains days after cracking ribs at Melbourne training