Former Sydney star Ryan O’Keefe backs Christian Petracca to mend relationships if he stays at Dees
A Norm Smith medallist whose failed trade request led to a premiership has backed Christian Petracca to return to Melbourne and find his best form.
Sydney Swans’ great Ryan O’Keefe has backed Christian Petracca to overcome a potential unsuccessful trade request and rediscover his best form at the Demons next year.
O’Keefe, whose trade move to Carlton was denied at the end of 2008, won the Swans’ best and fairest the following season in one of the highlights of his brilliant career.
Petracca is exploring a transfer out of Melbourne to re-energise his career and maximise his earnings at a big club amid disappointment over the way his life-threatening injuries were handled by the Demons in Round 14.
Melbourne officials have repeatedly denied they would consider letting Petracca go, meaning the Norm Smith medallist may yet have to return to the club despite teammates’ reservations.
O’Keefe, a two-time premiership superstar who also won the Norm Smith Medal in 2012, said Petracca’s competitive instincts and professionalism would allow him to shine once again in red and blue if he stays at the club next season.
“If you want to be a professional and go ‘OK, I want to explore somewhere else’ and that doesn’t work, then I get back to where I am and get on with doing the best I can for myself and the team,” O’Keefe said.
“You see it across the globe. Players leave clubs and they come back. That is what professional sport is all about.
“You are your own person and your own identity, your own business, so you want to put your best foot forward.
“If you are a strong competitor and it certainly looks like Christian is, he will take pride in his own performance and do everything he can for the team at that time.
“So I think he would have no problems slotting back into Melbourne. There will be no hard feelings.”
Melbourne could only be tempted to let Petracca go if he goes public with his concerns about the club’s on and off-field future amid a blockbuster trade or he pursues an exit through the AFL’s grievance tribunal, as the Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday.
But any chance of landing a superstar key forward or three first-round draft picks for Petracca looks slim.
O’Keefe said he was able to put aside any disappointment in his failed trade move in ’08 and felt fortunate in hindsight he remained in New South Wales, where he currently lives.
The gun playmaker was inducted into Sydney’s Hall of Fame in 2018 for his superb 286-game career.
O’Keefe said the hardship Petracca, 28, was currently experiencing could help shape him in the future, with the ex-Swan winning a second flag after his failed trade move.
“I always just wanted to get the best out of myself all the time,” he said.
“That was just a junction in my career and ended up what it was and I’m super grateful for where it landed.
“Sometimes you have got to go through things to come out better.”
Melbourne players and staff have held more discussions about Petracca’s situation this week but were preparing to leave for their end-of-season break.
Port Adelaide half back Dan Houston was bound for Melbourne in the trade period but is considering other options at St Kilda and Carlton after a backflip on the Demons.
Houston could remain at Port Adelaide.
The Demons are interested in a key forward to partner Jacob van Rooyen and could make a move on St Kilda unrestricted free agent Tim Membrey.
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