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Melbourne premiership midfielder Christian Petracca wants to be traded to the Gold Coast Suns.
The 28-year-old Norm Smith medallist met with the Gold Coast on Thursday after both the Demons and Petracca decided he should explore his options during the trade period.
Midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are stars for Melbourne and both have long-term contracts, but that no longer means their respective futures at the club are guaranteed.Credit: Getty Images
A competition source with knowledge of the situation, who preferred to remain anonymous, said Petracca had decided he wanted to join the Suns.
Petracca also met with Adelaide on Monday in a hastily arranged catch-up after it only became clear late last week Melbourne wanted to release the champion midfielder who still has four years remaining on his contract.
He was impressed with the pitches presented by both clubs and wrestled with the decision before deciding on the Suns after being shown around the Gold Coast facilities on Thursday.
Petracca has been a champion at Melbourne after being pick No.2 in the 2014 national draft.
He had a knee reconstruction before he played his first match but was the key player during the Demons’ surge to a drought-breaking flag in 2021, when he was best on ground in the grand final.
He has won two club best and fairest awards and is a four time All-Australian. However he became disillusioned with the club at the end of 2024 after he suffered horrific injuries during the King’s Birthday clash that year.
Petracca is regarded as one of the most dedicated and professional players in the game, however he has needed to continually work on his commitment to team aspects as his frustration on field can spill over at times.
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The two clubs will now need to make a trade. The Demons interest in Suns Sam Flanders and Bailey Humphrey could help them execute a deal.
The Suns are open to trading Flanders, who also has interest from St Kilda and Essendon, but not Humphrey, who is contracted until 2028.
Melbourne’s willingness to trade Petracca is part of a club strategy to move beyond their premiership era under new coach Steven King, with the Demons also asking contracted premiership players Clayton Oliver and Steven May to be traded.
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