How Christian Petracca went from Norm Smith medallist to wanting out of the red and the blue

Christian Petracca’s Melbourne journey from prodigious teenage talent to Norm Smith medallist and, finally, disgruntled veteran star is almost over.

The champion midfielder – a driving force behind the Demons’ drought-busting 2021 premiership – told Melbourne late last week that he wanted to play elsewhere next year, despite being contracted for another four seasons.

Petracca’s trade request, as he weighs up interest from Adelaide and Gold Coast, is the culmination of a torrid period that played out in the headlines and went into overdrive on King’s Birthday last year.

The 38-point defeat to Collingwood that day was far less significant than his first-quarter collision with Darcy Moore that left him with life-threatening injuries.

Petracca unsuccessfully tried to play on after doctors assessed him at quarter-time, and was soon in hospital, where scans revealed he sustained four broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen that required season-ending surgery that night.

Everything spiralled from there, with the four-time All-Australian and dual club champion’s grievances ranging from his treatment and support to the club’s culture and direction.

He tried to force his way out of the Demons in the months afterwards, but never actually met with any rival clubs. Melbourne also made it clear they would not trade him under any circumstances, and eventually released a statement in August to confirm Petracca was staying at the club.

Even then, there was an industry-wide suspicion that Petracca might try again.

This masthead revealed in March that Petracca had split with Connors Sports to be represented by Anna Scullie, who had already been involved in some of his marketing deals and is the wife of ex-Crow and Blue Eddie Betts.

But in May this year, at his first press conference since his traumatic injuries, Petracca again pledged his allegiance to the red and blue.

“I understand there’s always going to be noise surrounding that, but internally, I know, my teammates know, my coaches know and the club knows that I’m a Melbourne person through and through,” Petracca said at the time. “Last year was nothing more than wanting to make this football club better and see success.”

Only Petracca and his close confidantes know whether that was lip service, or if the goalposts have moved again.

He finished runner-up to Max Gawn in the club’s best-and-fairest award this year, but was not the same player he was at the peak of his powers – and the Demons finished 14th for the second straight season. The famously driven Petracca would not have been happy individually or team-wise.

The board sacked premiership coach Simon Goodwin before the year ended, and have since replaced him with Steven King, which may have been further motivation for Petracca to want out.

In a letter to members on Tuesday, Melbourne’s chief executive Paul Guerra confirmed Petracca’s wish to play for a different club.

“We know our future success will be built on people and players who are fully committed to where we are heading. We met with Christian late last week, where he expressed his desire to explore a fresh start in 2026,” Guerra wrote.

“Christian is contracted for a further four years and is a once-in-a-generation player. With this in mind, any decision regarding Christian’s future will be made in the best interest of the Melbourne Football Club.”

Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb echoed Guerra’s sentiments about Petracca, who he called a “great of our club”.

Petracca was in Adelaide on Monday to meet with Crows coach Matthew Nicks – and Adelaide have money to splash after missing out on St Kilda’s $2 million man, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – while he also spoke with Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick.

The Suns have a lot on their plate, but are arguably in a better position to broker a deal.

They also have a contracted player, midfielder Sam Flanders, who has requested a trade to a Victorian club. One of Flanders’ suitors is Melbourne.

Petracca is estimated to earn north of $1.2 million annually for the remainder of his deal. A major part of negotiations will be whether his new club takes on all that money, or if the Demons agree to continue paying some of it for a greater draft pick and/or player return.

Adelaide hold the No.14 selection in this year’s draft, which will be pushed back by free agency compensation picks, and father-son and academy bids, but that would be a starting point in negotiations.

Gold Coast are poised to match bids on two academy prospects within the first six selections – Errol Gulden-clone Zeke Uwland, and dasher Dylan Patterson – but are flush with talent.

Another Sun, Bailey Humphrey, emerged as a name of interest in the past fortnight, but his club and management have so far been adamant that he is not available for trade.

The Demons are set to be one of the most active clubs in the free agency and trade period, including asking another premiership player, defender Steven May, to explore his opportunities.

Young defender Judd McVee has also requested a trade to Fremantle, while premiership forward Charlie Spargo will depart in free agency to play for North Melbourne, where his father Paul played 81 of his 90 career games.

The Demons have targeted Collingwood’s unrestricted free agent forward Brody Mihocek and emerging St Kilda ruckman Max Heath, but missed out on Gold Coast’s Malcolm Rosas and St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager.

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