Hours before Melbourne’s clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday, the Demons’ biggest midfield star was just happy to be back “walking really fast” again on the Tan.
Christian Petracca said it’d be a stretch to call it running, given he’s not yet allowed to get his heart rate above 110.
Christian Petracca is on a slow road back from the horrific injuries he suffered in June.Credit: Justin McManus
That just shows how far the 28-year-old four-time All-Australian still has to go in his recovery from the horrific injuries he sustained against Collingwood in their King’s Birthday blockbuster back in June.
It was more than 60 days ago when he suffered a lacerated spleen among a raft of shocking internal injuries, and the Norm Smith medallist is adamant his sights aren’t set on a return to play any time before round 1 next year.
He’s a realist, after all.
“I’m just enjoying getting active again, first and foremost,” he said from the Tan, where he “walked really fast” alongside members of the public as part of a Ralph Lauren Fragrances promotional event.
“It’s awesome to be a part of today … just trying to stay active and fit,” said Petracca, who lined up alongside what he estimated was between 250 and 300 people.
“There were a fair few Melbourne supporters out there, which was really good, and I think the best thing about run clubs is the sense of community and giving everyone a genuine purpose, and being around their friends and staying active.”
Petracca spoke about his experiences over the past eight weeks since the King’s Birthday game, and the importance to him of trying to maintain a health and wellness routine.
Petracca says he won’t call what he’s able to do “running” just yet.Credit: Justin McManus
“It was good to just be back in the community, in a way,” the 2021 premiership player said in a stark reminder of the perspective he’s gained.
“I was restrained for a little bit with all the vaccinations I had to get again in an isolation period, but at the same time I think it was really nice to be able to switch off away from the world and spend time with my loved ones, and obviously my fiancee, Bella, and get some quality time away to focus on myself for a bit.”
But Petracca admitted how much of a challenge the mental side to his recovery has dealt him.
“Obviously I am a bit of an extrovert, so it is nice to get back to a routine and be around people again.”
Petracca said he couldn’t put a percentage on where he felt he was at in his physical recovery, but did say “I’m nowhere near 100 per cent”.
“I’m just trying to take each day as it comes – it’s obviously been an emotional rollercoaster and some days I’m feeling good and other days I’m not feeling good – but it is really just nice to be back active again.
“Sometimes in these situations, you do sit back and think how lucky you are to – after the injury – be healthy and have the people around you and the great support network that you do.
“This has given me a great perspective in what I do – that health, first and foremost, is the most important thing, and to try and make that my No.1 priority for the rest of my life.”
Petracca said he’s “lost a significant amount of conditioning, both aerobically and strength-wise” but that he’d expected it after his injuries.
“It’s going to be a long process, but round one isn’t until March next year, so I’ve got plenty of time to focus on that and get back to the strength level and fitness level I was at,” he said.
“I’ve got a good nine, 10 years of [AFL] pre-seasons under my belt so it will be a lot of hard work, but it’s something I get paid to do so it’s pretty good.”
Petracca said he’s drawing back on his experiences of doing his ACL in his first year, and the lessons he learned in his return to the game.
“What I went through [then] was nine or 10 years ago now, and I’m a bit of a different person to who I was back then, as far as maturity levels [go] and taking things for granted, but I’m just trying to enjoy the process as much as possible.
“Sometimes you get thrown a curveball and you’ve just got to kind of adapt and try and take the positives from every situation.
“It’s no doubt tough, but trusting the people around you – like the high-performance team – is really important.”
Petracca also said he’d go on an overseas pre-season camp at the end of the year to prepare himself for his 2025 campaign.
“It’s about getting more eyes on me and my experience with the injury, and getting a better understanding of my body.”
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