Christian Petracca declares his loyalty to Melbourne

ADELAIDE made an audacious attempt to lure Christian Petracca during the off-season but any other club contemplating about prizing the young star from Melbourne should think again.

Christian Petracca with the AFLX trophy. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE star Christian Petracca has pledged his future to the Demons, adamant he wants to be a one-club player for the duration of his career.

The 22-year-old comes out of contract this year and has such currency Adelaide even attempted to lure him west in a direct swap with Jake Lever last trade period.

Melbourne officials immediately shut down that ambit claim, with Petracca one of the most marketable and exciting young players in the competition.

TIME SERVED: 238 DARK DAYS LATER, BUGG RETURNS

NEXT STEP: ‘ANNOYED’ ANDY OFF BOMBER LEASH

HUGE HYPE: WILL AFLX WORK OVERSEAS?

Ahead of Melbourne’s first JLT game against North Melbourne on Saturday in Tasmania, Petracca has foreshadowed a move into the midfield this year.

He has nominated young goalsneak Bailey Fritsch as a potential Round 1 smoky and says Jesse Hogan is burning up the training track.

But it is his comments on his future that will delight Melbourne fans in an era of dramatic player movements, even if the Demons will have to put together a significant contract offer to sign him.

“I want to be here, I love it here and I am pretty sure everyone knows that,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It is up to my manager and myself to work out something but something will get done and I want to be here.

“Australians are pretty loyal and we are pretty passionate and who doesn’t want to be a one-club player?

“It would be pretty cool and a pretty special feeling.”

Christian Petracca wants to be a one-club player. Picture: Getty Images

Demons football boss Josh Mahoney confirmed the Demons would play their strongest possible side in the two JLT clashes.

He said the Demons were “optimistic” Jack Viney could still play Round 1 but any setback after foot issues will delay his return past the season opener against Geelong.

“Jack has come back since the Christmas break and trained really strongly. He has had no hiccups in his preparation and we are still optimistically pointed towards Round 1,” Mahoney aid.

Dom Tyson will play some JLT game time after soft-tissues problems, as will Dean Kent (rolled ankle), with Aaron Vandenberg (heel stress fracture) the long-term concern.

Mahoney said most Melbourne players had enjoyed seamless preparations, Jesse Hogan in particular putting in a power of work after 2017’s interrupted season.

Petracca kicked 26 goals last year and has too many attacking weapons to play as a pure midfielder but wants to add midfield versatility to his game.

“I have been pushing into the midfield and my endurance is my biggest area to improve,’’ he said.

“I have been trying to improve and still trying to learn all the stoppage (plans) but as the JLT goes on I will be pretty over that.

Christian Petracca in action during the AFLX tournament this week. Picture: Getty Images

“I try to push myself at the front (of running sessions) and if I blow up, I blow up. The more I push myself earlier the better I will get at it.

“I will still play a bit more forward — 70-30 or 60-40. But we want a flexible team and one that is quite unpredictable.”

Bailey Fritsch, a 188cm medium-forward taken at pick 31 in last year’s draft after 42 VFL goals for Casey, shapes as a Round 1 bolter.

He was impressive in AFLX and will play JLT Series clashes, with Petracca handing him an emphatic endorsement.

“Bailey is an absolute gun. We picked him up from Casey last year he was a year younger than me at Eastern and didn’t get picked so we saw him at Casey,’’ he said.

“I think he does (play Round 1). It really depends on JLT but from what we saw in game two (of AFLX) and our game simulation stuff, he’s been pretty noticeable.”