AFL 2022: Melbourne star Christian Petracca to play final with leg fracture

Melbourne star Christian Petracca is doing everything he can to play against Brisbane on Friday despite a fracture in his leg.

Christian Petracca will do everything he can to play. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Premiership defender Jake Lever says his superstar Melbourne teammate Christian Petracca is “pretty tough” as he prepares to play in Friday’s semi-final against Brisbane with a leg fracture.

And fellow midfielder Angus Brayshaw said there “won’t be any amount of fracture” that could keep Petracca from playing.

Petracca was at the club on Monday morning after it was revealed he suffered a hairline fracture in his fibia in last Friday’s loss to Sydney.

Demons football boss Alan Richardson said the club’s medical staff had cleared Petracca to play in the must-win clash with the Lions at the MCG on Friday night and Lever was readying to run out with him.

“He was moving pretty well for a guy who’s got a broken leg, but he’s pretty tough, so he’ll play,” Lever said on Monday morning.

“He’s probably been in here since about 6 o’clock (am).

“He’s pretty committed. I saw him this morning and he’s looking all right. I’m looking forward to playing with him.

Christian Petracca played out the final against Sydney with a leg fracture. Picture by Michael Klein

“I think he’ll have a bit of a lighter week. He’ll have to tick off a fair few things, I think – he’s done nearly every session all year.

“At this time of year, maybe a little freshen-up might be good for him.”

Petracca also sustained a cork to his calf in the game, but Brayshaw was confident last year’s Norm Smith medallist would take his place against the Lions.

“If I know Christian the way that I think I do, there won’t be any amount of fracture that could keep him off the ground for this game. He’s ready to go,” he told SEN.

“Everyone at this point of the year has something that’s not 100 per cent. What’s really strong is our resolve as a group. Everyone is in strong spirits.”