Christian Petracca, a prominent Melbourne Demons star, is reportedly considering leaving the club due to a fractured relationship that appears to be “beyond repair.” This revelation comes from journalist Sam McClure, who stated that Petracca, the 2021 Norm Smith Medallist, might seek to exit his long-term contract with the Demons. Petracca’s dissatisfaction reportedly stems from declining standards within the team, which won the premiership in 2021.
Petracca’s potential departure gained traction after he allegedly expressed his desire to switch to another Victorian team in 2025 during the team’s end-of-season function and his exit interview. McClure noted that Petracca’s presence at the event created tension among his teammates, with some appearing visibly uncomfortable. Multiple sources close to Petracca and the club have claimed that his relationship with the Demons is irreparably damaged. However, Petracca is unlikely to formally request a trade, as doing so could complicate the situation further.
Despite these rumors, the Demons’ management has publicly insisted that Petracca will remain with the club. Alan Richardson, the club’s football operations boss, previously stated that neither Petracca nor fellow star Clayton Oliver would be traded. He emphasized Petracca’s importance to the team, acknowledging the tough period he has been through but reiterating the club’s commitment to keeping him.
Meanwhile, Carlton has emerged as a potential new home for Petracca if he does decide to leave. McClure suggested that only two players from Carlton, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, could potentially satisfy Melbourne in a trade scenario. However, Curnow, who shares the same manager as Petracca, is reportedly off-limits, leaving McKay as the more likely candidate. McKay, a 26-year-old All-Australian and Coleman Medallist, would be a valuable addition to Melbourne’s forward line, which has been a weak spot for the team since their 2021 victory.
However, there are significant obstacles to this potential trade. McKay is currently under a long-term contract with Carlton, set to remain with the team until 2030, and has shown no indication of wanting to leave. Moreover, McKay has had a successful season, helping the Blues secure a spot in the finals, which further complicates any potential trade discussions.
