Christian Petracca wins Norm Smith medal in record-equalling performance

Melbourne was on the ropes against the Bulldogs but a star Demon flipped the grand final on its head with a record breaking effort.

Christian Petracca was unstoppable on his way to claiming the Norm Smith medal. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Melbourne’s Christian Petracca has won the Norm Smith medal with a sensational performance in the Demons’ grand final win over the Western Bulldogs.

The gun midfielder had a record-equalling 39 disposals and kicked two brilliant goals — both at crucial stages of the game — and was clearly deserving of the presitigious award for best on ground.

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Petracca kicked the first goal of the grand final when he unleashed a booming kick outside the 50 metre arc off just one step to get the Demons off to the perfect start.

“A bit of Dustin Martin about it with the quick around the corner,” commentator Brian Taylor said on Channel 7.

The Bulldogs mounted a comeback in the second and third quarters and threatened to break the game open, but Melbourne fought their way back with a run of 12 unanswered goals in the second half.

Christian Petracca was in beast mode in the grand final. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Petracca’s second goal was part of that incredible run and helped shift the momentum back in the Dees’ favour.

With Melbourne only six points in front in the third term, Petracca gathered the ball in the forward pocket and kicked an insane dribbling goal that beautifully curled through the big sticks.

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA ARE YOU ACTUALLY KIDDING????

Can't be doing that in the #AFLGFpic.twitter.com/35GAXJ7snk

— AFL (@AFL) September 25, 2021

His brutal attack on the footy, along with the work of Clayton Oliver and goalkicking prowess of Bayley Fritsch, was crucial in turning the tide back in Melbourne’s favour in the third quarter.

“Absolutely unbelievable quarter from Petracca!!” footy journalist Rohan Connolly tweeted.

“This is one of the best individual performances I’ve ever seen from Christian Petracca,” WWOS sports reporter Chris De Silva added.

Electric stuff from the Dees. Premiership-winning stuff. Petracca = freak. #AFLGF

— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) September 25, 2021

Christian Petracca's second half has been absurd.

Give the guy two Norm Smiths. #AFLGF

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) September 25, 2021

What a game. Bont. Petracca. BEASTS. @7AFL#AFLGF

— Trent Copeland (@copes9) September 25, 2021

This kids, is an absolute lesson in the guts. Oliver and Petracca in NBA Jam “He’s on fire!” mode. #AFLGF#afldeesdogs

— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) September 25, 2021

Petracca’s huge haul of 39 touches equalled the record for the most disposals ever by a player in grand final set by Simon Black in Brisbane’s 2003 premiership win.

“I actually can’t speak right now it feels like a dream,” Petracca told Channel 7 after the game.

“It is quite unbelievable. We set out pre-season and the off-season to get this club back to where it should be.

“For every fan that is watching at home, we bloody did it!”

After a relatively slow start to his career, Petracca’s form has exploded in the past couple of seasons, which has seen him rewarded with All Australian honours in 2020 and 2021.

In a sign of Petracca’s sheer dominance, he was unanimously voted the North Smith medallist by the panel of judges, receiving the maximum possible 15 votes.

Fritsch received 10 votes for his six-goal effort, Oliver received three votes, while Christian Salem and Caleb Daniel each received a single vote.

Norm Smith medal voting

Luke Hodge (Chair) – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Oliver.

Harry Taylor – C Petracca, B Fitsch, C Salem.

Tania Armstrong – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Oliver.

Andrew Krakouer – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Daniel.

Callum Twomey – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Oliver.