Dom Tyson tips Christian Petracca to take his game to another level next season

CHRISTIAN Petracca developed a reputation as one of the most explosive young midfielders in the competition in 2016. And his teammate thinks it’s just the beginning.

Christian Petracca has had an uninterrupted preseason. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

CHRISTIAN Petracca developed a reputation as one of the most explosive young midfielders in the competition in 2016.

But with another preseason under his belt, teammate Dom Tyson is tipping the No. 2 draft pick to elevate his game to another level next season.

Petracca, 20, played 17 games in his debut year, averaging 17.4 touches per game as he rotated through the midfield and forward line. It was a solid season by anyone’s standards.

Among his peers eligible for the Rising Star award, however, Petracca excelled.

He racked up the most inside 50s, second most goal assists and third most contested possessions per game to cement himself as one of the most promising on-ballers in the AFL.

Tyson predicts those numbers to skyrocket under the stewardship of Simon Goodwin.

Dom Tyson predicts Christian Petracca to step up again next year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“He produced a really good effort coming off a knee as only a 19/20-year-old so I do think he’s already a bit fitter and stronger,” Tyson told RSN.

“He’ll probably push up into the midfield. He’s very explosive so I’m excited to see what he can produce.”

Joining Tyson and Petracca in the Demons’ engine room is four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis.

The former Hawk’s arrival at Gosch’s Paddock has only amplified the palpable buzz at the club, as the Demons seek to reach finals for the first time since 2006.

“On field and in meetings he’s already adding his experience and opinion on certain things and obviously everyone listens when he chats because of what he’s achieved in footy,” Tyson said of Lewis.

“It’s exciting to have him and I’m pretty rapt to have him in the midfield as well.

“In previous years it has been hard to recruit big name players and established players. I guess externally we’re starting to get recognised as a side that can probably play a style of footy that can push for finals and win big games.”

Jordan Lewis is already making ripples at Melbourne. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images

Despite the optimism, Tyson was also quick to douse expectations.

Melbourne is no stranger to false dawns, with many of their big wins in 2016 succeeded by shock losses. In Round 2 the Demons lost to a half-baked Essendon after upsetting GWS the week prior.

Later in the season it was much the same.

Melbourne had a coming of age win against Hawthorn in Round 20, defeated Port Adelaide on the road in Round 21, but then choked against Carlton in Round 22 when their first finals campaign in a decade was on the line.

“There’s still a long way to go for us because we haven’t played finals for a lot of years and there’s still a lot of players under 23 that still need the big games and big moments and things like that,” Tyson said.

“But certainly we’re trending the right way.”

Originally published as Dom Tyson tips Christian Petracca to take his game to another level next season