Buddy Franklin detail emerges in Christian Petracca trade saga amid warning from AFL great
Kangaroos great David King believes it is in Petracca and the club's best interest to go their separate ways.
AFL great David King has urged Melbourne to follow the example the Hawks set when allowing Buddy Franklin to head to Sydney, by letting Christian Petracca go at the peak of his powers amid reports the midfielder has become disillusioned with the club. Petracca's future at Melbourne is growing increasingly uncertain by the day, with The Age reporting the 28-year-old has informed the club and his teammates that he wants to be traded and play for a rival Victorian club in 2025.
It's understood a large part of Petracca's frustrations stems from the horror incident against Collingwood in June, when he suffered a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs after copping an accidental knee from Magpies skipper Darcy Moore. The brutal episode left Petracca struggling both physically and mentally and the mismanagement of his injuries has reportedly seen him reach a point of no return with the club.
Petracca is contracted at the Demons until 2029 on a seven-year deal signed in 2021. And while senior club figures have emphatically ruled out the possibility of a trade, King believes it would be in the best interest of all parties to go their separate ways. He pointed to the Franklin situation as an example of when losing a star player isn't necessarily detrimental to the club's flag aspirations.
The Hawks won the premiership the year after Franklin left for Sydney in 2014, after the club decided they couldn't match the whopping $10 million offer from the Swans. Hawthorn succeeded without Franklin and his exit allowed them to focus on bringing in and nurturing young talent already at the club.
While Petracca’s situation is arguably more complicated than Franklin's, due to him being contracted for five more seasons and coming off a serious injury, King told foxfooty.com.au that the Demons have the opportunity to relieve themselves of a serious headache and build for the future at the same time. “I just think you’ll have the opportunity to sell him at his highest point. And what you’ll get back in the door will outweigh Christian leaving,” King said.
“Christian has been a Hall of Fame player for Melbourne and absolute top liner of our competition, but he’s clearly unhappy. He’s been unhealthy and there’s a long process back to footy. Are Melbourne still in the window to win another flag? I have my doubts.
"With the Tasmanian team coming in you’ve got to get ahead of any form of reset. I just think they could scoop the pool in terms of what other clubs — in particular Carlton — could offer. He’ll be 29 before next season starts, is clearly disgruntled and more concerned with his personal brand than getting things back on track. So maybe it is time for all parties to shake hands and move on.”
Where would Christian Petracca land if he left the Demons?
It is reported that Petracca is keen to join a big Victorian club so he can play in front of bigger crowds - which takes out a large portion of the AFL competition as options. Carlton and Collingwood are seen as leading contenders, with links to a swap deal with the Blues' Harry McKay floated as a possibility.
While Collingwood is the club Petracca grew up supporting, foxfooty.com.au reports the Magpies don't have the draft assets to strike a deal as they’re without their first-round pick and only hold selections 32, 48 and 50 in this draft as well as whatever they get back for Suns-bound John Noble. They are also not in a position to accommodate Petracca’s $1 million plus salary, all but ruling them out as a potential destination.
That leaves Carlton as the leading contender in the race for Petracca. But a deal with the Blues is far from straightforward. Carlton holds picks 11 and 31 and could also try and tempt the Demons with a future first-rounder pick plus a player trade. Both McKay and Charlie Curnow are understood to be of interest to Melbourne but they are both reportedly settled at Ikon Park and would have to agree to the trade before it became a viable option.
Away from Carlton and Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond make up the other two 'big four' Victorian clubs. But neither seems to be a realistic possibility. The Bombers could offer Pick 8, their future first-rounder and potentially one of their young players. But it is unlikely Petracca would want to join a club that hasn't been in the premiership picture for the last two decades.
Similarly, Richmond is in a rebuilding phase and likely won't be challenging for a flag for several more years. The Tigers could have as many as five or six first-round picks, so in theory, they could make it happen, however, the trade still appears unlikely.
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Hawthorn is another potential destination for Petracca but they appear more focussed on adding to their defensive ranks. To round out the Victorian options, there are North Melbourne and St Kilda. But both are hardly enticing prospects for Petracca given his desire to play in front of bigger crowds and challenge for flags. So even if Melbourne decides they are willing to cut ties with their star midfielder, they may find a good deal for him hard to come by.
AFL week one finals schedule:
Second qualifying final: Port Adelaide v Geelong - Thursday September 5, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Second elimination final: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn - Friday September 6, MCG, 7.40pm
First qualifying final: Sydney v GWS - Saturday September 7, SCG, 3.20pm
First elimination final: Brisbane Lions v Carlton - Saturday September 7, Gabba, 7.30pm
