This was published 3 months ago
Christian Petracca fronts teammates as Demons hold players-only meeting
By Peter Ryan
Christian Petracca fronted a players-only meeting at the Melbourne Football Club on Monday to discuss with his teammates his frustrations with the direction of the Demons and how it spilled into the public domain.
The 28-year-old has been the subject of reports he was disgruntled and would leave the club – to which he is contracted until the end of 2029 – if he had the opportunity.
Christian Petracca suffered a serious injury in the match on the King’s Birthday public holiday.Credit: AFL Photos
The club conceded in an email to members last week there were frustrations throughout the playing group after missing finals, and said a review was under way to examine avenues to improve its football program.
However, the Demons categorically stated last week that Petracca would not be traded and nor would four-time best and fairest winner Clayton Oliver, who had a below-par season in 2024 after an interrupted pre-season when his health and wellbeing was prioritised.
Melbourne skipper Max Gawn foreshadowed on Triple M on Monday morning there would be discussions between the players and Petracca over the next fortnight before they go on leave. A source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity to speak freely, confirmed a players’ meeting occurred on Monday with Petracca opening up about his experience since the injury.
Another source, also requesting anonymity to speak freely, said there was no way a Petracca trade would occur.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has remained steadfast in a tumultuous period at the club.Credit: AFL Photos
Some teammates were initially frustrated at Petracca’s absence from the club as he recuperated on the Sunshine Coast, but Gawn said on Monday the group was aware of the reasons behind his time away from the club. The captain said he was comfortable with the reasons Petracca was granted leave.
“I’m happy he went away. Any player that is struggling mentally with anything that’s going on – [it] doesn’t have to be in the ICU [intensive care unit] like ‘Trac’ [was] – it can be just a rolled ankle; anyone that’s struggling [we’re] more than happy to grant leave on that. So that’ll all play out. There’ll be conversations that we’ll have over the next two weeks,” Gawn said.
The star midfielder, who won the Norm Smith Medal in 2021 – the same season he signed a seven-year extension with the club – has not addressed the reports publicly, having only returned to train with the club last week after a short break in Queensland to recuperate mentally and physically from the season-ending injury he suffered on the King’s Birthday public holiday.
Petracca has been open, however, about the effect of the incident that occurred when Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore cannoned into him in a marking contest.
He required emergency surgery after suffering a lacerated spleen, a punctured lung and broken ribs. He initially tried to keep playing before being subbed off at half-time.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said last week the mid-season incident had shaken Petracca.
“Christian’s had an incredibly traumatic experience, and we don’t need to underestimate it,” Goodwin said.
“He had to go away from the game and get happy and healthy again.
“I’m sure he’s got some wonderful ideas about how we can get better, and we’ll lean into those suggestions.”
The Demons bounced back after a tumultuous week to be the second team this season to beat the Gold Coast in Carrara, thrashing the home team by 54 points, even without Oliver or Petracca.
Meanwhile, premiership forward Ben Brown announced his retirement after 175 games, including the 2021 premiership.
Brown played 130 games with North Melbourne before being traded to the Demons at the end of 2020, playing 45 matches in four seasons with injury setbacks, particularly related to a troublesome knee, hampering the latter stages of his career.
Famous for his long run-up when having a set shot, the spearhead kicked 360 goals to average more than two goals a game and kicked three in the grand final against the Western Bulldogs. He was North Melbourne’s leading goalkicker from 2016-19 and nominated for All-Australian selection for three consecutive years from 2017-19.
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correction
An earlier version of this report said The Demons were the first team this season to beat the Gold Coast at Carrara. It has been updated to note they were the second team after the Brisbane Lions.