AFL 2023: Melbourne categorically rules out trade for Harrison Petty

Melbourne’s list boss insists a versatile Demon is going nowhere despite ongoing interest from his home state.

Melbourne says it will certainly not be trading versatile tall Harrison Petty in the final days of the trade period. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb insists versatile tall Harrison Petty will not be traded despite strong interest from his home state and stalled negotiations for Crows forward Shane McAdam.

Lamb said it was “100 per cent” certain that Petty would remain at Melbourne next season as the Crows pursue a player as part of a deal for McAdam and show strong interest in the key position utility, who grew up in Wudinna on the Eyre Peninsula.

Petty will become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of 2025 and has reportedly turned down an extension offer from the Demons, but Lamb said the club was eager to extend his stay further and categorically ruled out his involvement in any trade during this period.

“One hundred per cent, that’s 100 per cent,” Lamb told AFL Trade Radio when asked whether Petty would stay.

Harrison Petty (centre) booted six goals against Richmond in round 20, but a serious foot injury the following week ended his season. Picture: Michael Klein

“We’ve had a number of chats with Harrison and we understand Harrison’s a really good player, that’s why Adelaide would like to get him and that’s why we’re keeping him.

“It’s just part of the industry now, but both Simon (Goodwin) and Richo (Alan Richardson) and myself have spoken to Harrison and he’s aware of our position.”

Petty, 23, played at centre half-back in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership side and was likely wanted by the Crows to play in defence, but Lamb said the Demons’ vision was for the swingman to play alongside Jacob van Rooyen in a long-term key forward combination.

The week before his season was brought to an end by a Lisfranc injury in his foot, Petty starred with six goals in the round 20 win over Richmond, while van Rooyen fired alongside him with four of his own.

“We’ll work to hopefully not have (Petty) only for the next two years but for an extended period after that,” Lamb said.

Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb says the Demons view Petty and young forward Jacob van Rooyen (second from right) as their long-term key forward duo. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

“We see him partnering with Jacob van Rooyen, we’re really excited about that partnership. “What we saw from it this year was really good. They clicked together well, they worked together well, and that’s where he’ll be playing for us.”

Lamb said the recruitment of former basketballer Tom Fullarton from Brisbane with pick 46 would provide important depth to the Demons’ key forward and ruck stocks.

He said the club had been impressed by Fullarton’s performance against them in the 2022 finals series and his strong VFL form this season.

The moves of James Harmes to the Western Bulldogs and James Jordon to Sydney were both deals the Demons were willing to facilitate to help the pair find more opportunity at senior level, Lamb said.

Asked about troubled star Clayton Oliver, Lamb said: “He’s going well.”

Melbourne confirmed on Thursday that Oliver had been admitted to hospital following a medical episode and was recovering at home.

It followed a tumultuous start to trade period for the four-time best and fairest winner, who was the subject of several inquiries from other clubs after it emerged the Demons were unhappy with his professionalism during 2023.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Melbourne categorically rules out trade for Harrison Petty