Christian Petracca opens up on near-death injury and trade rumours, AFLPA push league to reinvestigate injury, comments, interview, latest news

Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca has opened up on his tumultuous 2024 season, discussing his near-death injury and trade rumours.

Petracca had a tough year, with trade rumours swirling after a severe injury in the King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood.

CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

When asked by 7NEWS about whether or not his future lied with the Dees, Petracca’s response was strong.

“Yes, definitely,” he said.

“I love the footy club, the connections I’ve built at the footy club, my friendships. I’ve got long-lasting friendships since I was 17, 18 years old,” Petracca continued.

He has turned over a new leaf after chatting with Melbourne’s leaders and is keen to tackle the year ahead.

“I’m passionate, I’m competitive and I want this club to be great and, yeah, I had honest conversations about where we I think we can improve as a footy club both on and off the field,” he told 7News.

“Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) and the footy club have been awesome over the last four or five months in off-season and pre-season devising a plan and making the club connected.

“And as a footy club, that’s all we want for our fans to be happy and proud.”

Petracca said he was in a better headspace now when reflecting on the tough year.

“It’s not until something is taken away from you, you kind of realise how lucky I am. I get paid to kick a footy and lift weights and run, it’s a pretty amazing job,” he told Fox Sports News’ David Zita.

“When you have a big stint on the sidelines and you’re down in the dumps, you realise how appreciative you are to be alive and the job I have.”

Petracca suffered a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and fractured ribs during that incident against the Pies, revealing just how much he went through in the aftermath.

“There was a month there where I couldn’t walk anything further than my hallway,” Petracca told 7NEWS.

“I lost 7.5 kilos and I couldn’t lift over 10 kilos for four months.”

The star Dee spent time in Austria over the off-season at a Red Bull training facility, trying to get himself in the best shape possible.

“From a number of different levels – mentally, physically, spiritually – understanding who I am better. When you go through challenging times in your life you learn a lot about yourself and your qualities. I’ve had a lot of personal growth,” he told Fox Sports News.

“The silver lining has been amazing, to have the chance to reset my body and mind and build myself back up.”

Since the injury, it’s all been about ticking off small goals. The 29-year-old said his first training session back with the club was emotion-filled and he expects his eventual return to also cause plenty of mixed feelings.

“It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but just to be back training was an awesome experience and, yeah I did cry a bit but I think that’s just part of the journey,” he told 7NEWS.

If he features in round one, it will mark 279 days since he featured at AFL level.

“No doubt when that opportunity presents itself, I’ll have mixed emotions. Right now, I’m just trying to take it day by day, be as present as possible and focus on what I can control,” he added via Fox Sports News.

However, the AFL will reinvestigate the circumstances of Petracca’s King’s Birthday injury after an official demand from the AFLPA, according to the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph.

The AFLPA and league are still haggling over the terms of reference for a review of the medical treatment of players who suffer serious on-field injuries but according to Ralph, the players association is keen to make changes proactively rather than after a player loses his life in an on-field incident.