The Damien Hardwick pitch that won over Christian Petracca
Christian Petracca had a choice between two clubs — and a pitch from Damien Hardwick convinced him to pick the Suns over the Crows. Plus what Hawthorn are likely prepared to offer for Bailey Humphrey.
Christian Petracca was won over by Damien Hardwick’s premiership aspirations and determination to hone the 29-year-old’s leadership skills as the Suns continue working on a trade for the Norm Smith Medallist.
The Suns are adamant they will get a deal done with Petracca, who chose Gold Coast over Adelaide after a careful list analysis and meetings with both clubs.
The trade for Suns midfielder Sam Flanders has secured St Kilda’s No. 7 draft pick, which shapes as the centrepiece of any Petracca deal.
While Melbourne teammates wondered if Petracca pulled back from fully investing in the Demons after his aborted trade of 2024, he still finished second in the club’s best-and-fairest this year.
Hardwick was able to bring together differing personalities as leaders in his time at Richmond, with Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance all pulling in the same direction after the club’s reset in late 2016.
All those players had their unique quirks and strengths but Hardwick was able to maximise their leadership gifts as the Tigers rebounded from a trio of elimination finals exits to win three flags from 2017-2020.
In the same manner Hardwick has pledged to use Petracca’s leadership skills in a young midfielder that includes captain Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Touk Miller and Bailey Humphrey.
Petracca can at times wear his heart on his sleeve but is determined to find a new home which will value his unique onfield and passion off the field.
He has four years left on a deal worth around $1.3 million a season with Petracca yet to ask for an extension of a fifth season if he arrives at the Suns.
List boss Craig Cameron said on Monday those conversations were yet to be had but seemed open to discussions on the length of his contract.
When Hardwick met Petracca weeks after the club’s semi-final loss he was still filthy about losing to Brisbane in that clash, adamant his side was capable of more.
If Petracca and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan both arrived at the club and were able to put together full seasons in a team that will welcome academy picks Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson the Suns will be hard to stop.
Melbourne will continue in its attempts to drag Bailey Humphrey out of the Suns despite the Gold Coast hard-line attitude that he will not be traded under any circumstances.
The Hawks would likely be prepared to offer up two first-round picks for Humphrey if he became available but at this stage the Suns are not yielding on any rival interest.
Petracca would play a similar mid-forward role to his time at Melbourne but after being pushed out of the centre square late in 2025 there would be plenty of centre square opportunities.
Petracca and wife Bella were both happy to move interstate to seek a fresh start and genuinely considered Adelaide as a new home.
But in the end Hardwick’s pitch and his desire to play in another side capable of winning a flag saw him and Bella choose the Suns.
While Melbourne has made clear it will only trade him for the right price, the Suns view is that the Demons are happy to move on from him as part of a cultural overhaul that will also see the club trade Clayton Oliver.
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Originally published as The Damien Hardwick pitch that won over Christian Petracca
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