Christian Petracca inspires Melbourne to Queen’s Birthday win over Collingwood at MCG

MELBOURNE surged into sixth place, beating Collingwood in a Queen’s Birthday classic, sparked by the AFL’s next Dusty, Christian Petracca.

Tom McDonald and Christian Petracca celebrate on the final siren.

CLUBS are clamouring for Dustin Martin’s signature, happy to throw open the chequebook for Richmond’s megastar free agent.

Safely locked away at Melbourne is perhaps the game’s next ‘Dusty’.

His name is Christian Petracca and he is the key reason the Demons surged into sixth position on the ladder on Monday night.

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Rabid tackling in the final five minutes and Jack Watts’ match-winner – kicked eight years to the day after being bullied on debut – ultimately clinched Melbourne a thrilling win against Collingwood.

But it was Petracca, 21, who brought the Demons back from the brink before half-time, and then delivered the biggest roar of his young career in a commanding second half.

At the MCG it appeared as if Collingwood president Eddie McGuire needed to whip out his laptop to start drawing up papers for coach Nathan Buckley to sign.

Jack Watts kicks the sealer and celebrates with Nathan Jones and Christian Petracca.

The Magpies were going berserk, booting six straight goals to start the second quarter after a spark from returning forward Alex Fasolo.

They were 28 points clear and seemingly on track to square the win-loss ledger at 6-6 with their fourth consecutive win.

But Petracca had other ideas, quickly dousing Eddie’s elation.

The raging bull intercepted a Taylor Adams sideways kick at half-forward and found Jeff Garlett open in the goalsquare.

Minutes later, Petracca won a contested ball abut 70m from goal, ran into space and unloaded from 55m.

Dual Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd says Petracca’s acceleration is elite and the Demons couldn’t believe their luck when St Kilda left Petracca for them by taking Paddy McCartin at No.1 in 2014.

Christian Petracca tries to shrug off Taylor Adams.

An ACL ruined Petracca’s first season, but any doubts the king of swagger wouldn’t reach his potential are vanishing fast.

Early the third quarter a sore Watts, who ducked into the rooms most likely for a jab to his lower back, brought the Demons back within 16 points with a long goal in the third quarter.

When Petracca banged through his second goal after a 50m penalty it was game on.

Like Martin, Petracca is explosive, powerful and plays with funk. The game-breaker is yet to play 30 games and Monday was just his second time performing in front of more than 70,000.

But he loved every second. Coach Simon Goodwin planted Petracca at full-forward to start the pulsating final quarter and his safe overhead hands clung onto three marks inside 50m.

Petracca missed the first two set-shots, but nailed the third as the Demons recorded their fourth-straight win against the Magpies.

Jeremy Howe takes a huge mark over Tom McDonald. Picture: Mark Stewart

Jeremy Howe’s huge mark over Tom McDonald. Picture: Mark Stewart

Earlier, Collingwood controlled the engine room winning 10-2 clearances in the first quarter. The Magpies also controlled the play, but it didn’t really matter.

Because while the Magpies’ entries were largely wide and shallow, the Demons surged forward with power and purpose and were able to remain in the hunt.

Proof of that came via Jayden Hunt. The rocket-legged dasher propelled the ball inside 50m a game-high 10 time, with two in the first quarter leading to goals through Watts and Tom McDonald.

Darcy Moore had the last say of the first half, which ended in turbocharged fashion after Jeremy Howe’s bid for mark of the year.

But Petracca had the final word. And if there’s any consolation in defeat for the Magpies, it belongs to the partners of their players.

Finally, they can have a shave, a clause in a losing bet made with their coaches last month.