Melbourne star Christian Petracca to miss club best and fairest for training camp

Melbourne’s best and fairest is early next month, but Christian Petracca won’t be there. JAY CLARK explains why, plus the star Dee touches on the ‘robust discussions’ he’s had with the club.

Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca will miss the club’s best and fairest next month to attend an overseas training camp.

The Herald Sun on Wednesday revealed Petracca, 28, has the Demons’ full support to attend the Red Bull training camp in Salzburg, Austria next month as he ramps up preparations for next season.

Petracca suffered life-threatening internal injuries in the King’s Birthday clash against Collingwood and has shared his frustrations with the club over the handling of his injury and his recovery.

Petracca said he had been “mentally really struggling with the injury” but had been buoyed time spent with teammates in recent weeks, saying “the connections I have with them and the friendships I have is just amazing.”

Christian Petracca has had a frustrating 2024. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne is confident it is in the process of addressing his concerns and has strongly backed the midfielder’s plan to head overseas instead of attending the club champion event on Friday, October 4.

A club spokesman was adamant on Wednesday that Petracca’s decision to head overseas was not related to any trade speculation and that he was fully committed to playing at Melbourne.

The champion ballwinner faces significant physical and mental hurdles preparing himself to play at the top level again in Round 1 next season after suffering a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs in the Round 14 match.

It is why Petracca will head to the training camp to focus on his physical health and conditioning after missing the rest of the season with the severe internal injuries.

Petracca last week received clearance to elevate his heart rate in training in a positive step forward and said he was excited for next season.

Petracca is upbeat about next season. Picture: Getty Images

The Norm Smith Medalist is also using the several week break abroad to help freshen up mentally after a difficult few months dealing with his injuries, the significant fallout and intense trade speculation.

He said his talks with the club in recent weeks had been positive.

“The conversations I have had with the club over the past two or three months have been really healthy and we have had really robust discussions which is awesome,” Petracca said.

“Myself and other leaders at the club would be having these conversations like any workplace or any footy club.

“You have these conversations because you want to make the environment a really good one that we love coming to work.

“I’m really looking forward to day one of pre-season, especially with my injury.

“I’m prioritising that at the moment and trying to get myself back mentally and physically to the player and person I was.”

The camp at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Centre is highly regarded for its elite facilities and fitness coaching.

The training camp should help Petracca work his way back to full fitness. Picture: Michael Klein

Petracca has a partnership with Red Bull and has been to the camp over the past three years.

Petracca said the overseas mission would help fast-track his preparation for the 2025 season.

“It’ll be awesome probably from a mental point of view, getting back to that confidence in myself and my body, ready to attack day one of pre-season,” Petracca said.

“For me it’s just been the most amazing experience, being able to use their facilities and have access to some of the best high performance people in the world.”

Melbourne will commence pre-season training in early November for its first to fourth year players. Petracca is due back in mid to late November.

He will begin a modified program as Melbourne prepare for a massive season trying to bounce back into the eight after missing finals this year.

The club had its sights set on Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston, who has since decided to head elsewhere to start a new chapter. Carlton is believed to be the front runner, while St Kilda also has some interest.

Retired Demon Angus Brayshaw will speak at the Keith Bluey Truscott Medal after a heartbreaking decision to walk away from the game due to his concussions.

Inspirational captain Max Gawn is expected to win the best and fairest for a third time.