Simon Goodwin opens up on the remarkable comeback of Christian Petracca and what to expect in season 2025

There is no doubt what Christian Petracca went through last year had the star questioning his future. But Simon Goodwin knew in December – his star was back and ready to get even better.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has lauded the inspirational comeback of Christian Petracca, saying the jet midfielder cried tears of joy after completing his first contact training session since his life-threatening injuries.

Petracca suffered four broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and punctured lung in the King’s Birthday clash against Collingwood last year, triggering months of physical and mental trauma for the Norm Smith medallist.

Goodwin said it had been highly distressing for everyone at the club to see Petracca and his family suffer through the ordeal after surgery to stem the internal bleeding ended his season.

While there is no doubt it prompted Petracca to weigh up his future at the club, Goodwin said the brilliant playmaker’s response and leadership on the track this summer had been “remarkable” overcoming some considerable physical and mental hurdles.

Goodwin said his superstar onballer was so relieved to get through his first competitive contact training session in December he broke down afterwards at the club.

Christian Petracca after suffering the injury against Collingwood last year. Picture: Michael Klein

And all smiles at Melbourne training this month. Picture: David Crosling

“I remember seeing him in his first training session and I could see how nervous he was,” Goodwin said.

“It was like when he first got drafted. When he got through that session you could see the joy and the happiness on his face.

“In his own words, he went into the locker room afterwards and he started to have a bit of a tear and was a bit emotional because I don’t know if he thought he was going to be able to do it again. I think it shows how much the game means to him and also how much the club means to him.”

Petracca cracked a rib last week in a separate incident and is determined to not only re-establish himself as one of the AFL’s best players, but also take his game to a higher level.

Goodwin said he was not worried about Petracca’s ability to absorb contact in games.

“I’ve seen him in contract training already pre-Christmas and it is the Christian Petracca we have always known,” Goodwin said.

“I have got no concerns about how we will see him perform this year. I’m really excited because I think he is going to get better.”

Petracca hugs coach Simon Goodwin on his return to training. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL and AFL Players’ Association are set to probe the handling of Petracca injury as the midfielder played on in the second term with the internal injuries before being taken to two hospitals.

Goodwin was adamant the club had full faith in its medical staff, but said the incident would change the way all clubs could act in similar circumstances.

“I’ve known Christian since he was drafted and when you see someone suffer both physically, mentally and emotionally, it is bloody hard not only for him but his whole family,” he said.

“What played out, and the trauma of it all was real, and incredibly difficult for his partner Bella and his parents and his whole family, and for us, because we just love him so much.

“The circumstance itself was hard to fathom based on all the information and advice everyone had at the time.

“Hopefully it is something we don’t see in the game again with some really strong process.

“But with the information and evidence we had at the time (of the injury in-game) it was hard to see him going through that, but traumatising for everyone.”

Petracca, 29, lit up the track before the latest rib setback, and according to the senior coach, was “as engaged as he had ever been” despite the cloud over his future last year.

He missed the club’s best and fairest to attend a Red Bull training camp in Austria and begin the mission of rebuilding his body, with the club’s full support.

“He is happy, smiley, engaged, connected and someone who is a great teammate,” Goodwin said.

“So his response to everything has been brilliant.

“His time away, his ability to come back in and reconnect, his leadership and his willingness and want to get better and that is not only individually but collectively.

“He has got an ambition to be as good as we can be. He is passionate about that and we fully support that. But just to see him around the club smiling and happy is the first thing. He’s enjoying himself and doing what he loves.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne has given star defender Steven May the green light to continue training despite allegations about his involvement in a Sorrento brawl last year.

Police are investigating an incident that left two men with serious injuries on Boxing Day.

“I’m incredibly comfortable with where it sits,: Goodwin said.

“It is a police matter, which will play out in due course.”

May, 33, has been selected to play in the Indigenous All-Stars game against Fremantle in Perth on Saturday.

SUNDAY MORNING: Simon Goodwin opens up exclusively on the fog finally lifting at Melbourne.

Originally published as Simon Goodwin opens up on the remarkable comeback of Christian Petracca and what to expect in season 2025