Christian Petracca spotted meeting Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale

Days after reports surfaced of him being disgruntled at Melbourne, superstar Christian Petracca has been spotted meeting with a rival captain.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 11: Christian Petracca of the Demons looks on during the round five AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 11, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

An early morning chat at an East Melbourne cafe between frustrated Melbourne star Christian Petracca and Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale set tongues wagging in footy circles on Saturday morning.

It came just a few hours before Neale took the field for the Lions in their clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

But the Herald Sun can reveal the chat had nothing to do with Petracca’s future at the Demons, nor any potential trade options.

Petracca and Neale are close mates and fellow AFL 360 panellists who meet regularly to discuss mindfulness techniques.

Christian Petracca has been spotted meeting with Lachie Neale. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Demons star is still recovering from a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs following a sickening injury suffered on Queen’s Birthday.

Petracca’s frustration with the direction of the Demons was laid bare this week, with the club putting out a statement about the ongoing discussions it was having with the star midfielder.

He is contracted until the end of the 2029 season, with Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert saying on Saturday he could understand Petracca’s frustration.

Pert said on SEN he had “no idea” if Petracca would ask for a trade if he had been an uncontracted player.

“The conversations I am having with Christian are not conversations about him breaking his contract or (being) traded … this is a conversation about listening and how the club can get better and how Christian can get better.

“We understand the level of frustration.

“Right at the moment … our focus is to be working with him and listening to him and taking on his views about how we can be better as a club next year.

“Christian is frustrated, he had a brutal injury and had to cope with that physically and mentally, but really all the players are feeling an angst, but that needs to be turned into energy (to take into next year).”

Originally published as Christian Petracca spotted meeting Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale