The Melbourne Demons have again moved to play down reports that Christian Petracca wants out of the club, with the gun midfielder addressing his fellow players over his future.
The rumour mill has been in overdrive since news broke reports that he was ‘disgruntled’ and ‘disillusioned’ at the Demons, and would request a trade tomorrow if it was possible.
But Melbourne insist Petracca will remain at the club until the end of his contract in 2029, and didn’t deny that there was some frustration.
“He’s got five years to go on a contract, and today was a pretty important step for him, to be able to talk to the way that he’s been feeling,” Melbourne General Manager of Football Alan Richardson said.
“But he’s, we love him. We know that it’s been a challenging period. He’s got five years. He’s red and blue. He’s going to make us better. Has he aired some frustrations throughout this period? Yes, he has.”
On Sunday night, Channel Nine’s Tom Morris doubled down on his report from last week saying he still wants out, but probably won’t request a trade soon given how much it will cost a potential club, and if it fails he will be stuck in an awkward situation at the club.
The reporter even revealed a mid-season trip to Noosa got a few teammates offside until the situation was clarified at the club.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn even conceded there may be “fractures” in the Melbourne playing group, but put that down to missing finals.
Christian Petracca of the Demons in action. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Petracca has since addressed teammates about his future to provide clarity and understanding.
“The fact that he told them today speaks to how challenging this has been. He hasn’t really felt comfortable enough to be able to speak to the players about that up until now,” Richardson said.
“So that’s that’s what was said. And I suppose I’ve just given you a reason why it happened today. It was because that speaks to how difficult a period this has been for him.
“I think everyone externally, we’ve got a pretty good understanding internally, but externally, have been unsure as to why Christian’s not talking, and it’s that’s because of the way that he’s feeling and the way that he’s coping with this, with this trauma that he’s been through.”
The 28-year-old has been sidelined since the Round 13 King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood where he picked up the serious internal injury.
Petracca suffered a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs when he was crunched by an accidental knee from Collingwood captain Darcy Moore.
Willie Rioli subject to racist abuse, Power mascot attacked
Port Adelaide Football Club says forward Willie Rioli was subject to online racist abuse during Showdown 56 via social media.
“The club condemns all forms of racism. It causes deep harm and distress beyond the individual the words are directed at,” the Power statement read.
“Racism is abhorrent, unacceptable and never welcome – not in football, not anywhere.
“The club is supporting Willie and his family and will continue to use its platform to educate.”
The Crows echoed those thoughts; even though the person involved was not an Adelaide member, the club says it’s still unacceptable.
“It is extremely disappointing that our industry once again finds itself dealing with such unacceptable behaviour,” the club’s statement said.
Meanwhile, it’s also been confirmed the Power mascot ‘Thunda’ was punched in the face before the opening bounce of the Showdown, believed to be from a Crows teenage fan.
It left the person with a bleeding nose but they were cleared of concussion before returning to the ground.
Tigers claim ‘ongoing discussions’ with contracted Shai Bolton
Richmond star Shai Bolton’s manager has denied a bombshell report that the dual premiership player has requested a trade to a Western Australian-based club at season’s end.
According to a Herald Sun report coming after months of speculation, Bolton’s had asked for a return home motivated by family reasons, with he and his partner expecting their second child later in the year.
The 25-year-old’s future at the Tigers has long been intensely scrutinised given the club’s poor 2024 season and looming tough rebuild under Adem Yze, and has been linked to both West Coast and Fremantle, with the Dockers reportedly desperate to secure his services.
However, according to Nine’s Tom Morris, the Tigers and Bolton’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen have denied a formal trade request has been made, saying Bolton would only leave Punt Road ‘if a suitable deal can be struck that benefits all parties involved’.
“Shai Bolton has not requested a trade,” Van Der Wielen’s statement reads.
“We have had some ongoing discussions with Richmond throughout the season where he has indicated that he would be open to the idea of returning home to Perth if a suitable deal can be struck that benefits all parties involved.
“With a young family and strong ties to Perth, the prospect of being closer to home is appealing to him. However, Shai is not making any demands of Richmond and fully understands that he has four years remaining on his current contract.”
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Any move would be among the most complicated deals of the upcoming AFL Trade Period, with the star midfielder/forward still having four years to serve on a contract with the Tigers reportedly worth over $1 million per season.
Shai Bolton has requested a trade home to Western Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
The Tigers have been adamant that Bolton will not be traded under any circumstances, but the Dockers’ current draft hand of three first-round draft picks could tempt them to fulfil the 2019 and 2020 premiership hero’s request.
Richmond are expected to demand at least two first-round picks for Bolton, with the Dockers holding, as it stands, picks 9, 10 and 17 – their own first-rounder as well as picks from Collingwood (as part of their trade for Lachie Schultz) and Port Adelaide.
Punt Road is set for an exodus at season’s end, with uncontracted premiership players Liam Baker and Jack Graham set to depart to the Eagles, the latter as an unrestricted agent, and the contracted Daniel Rioli heavily linked to Gold Coast and a reunion with Damien Hardwick.
>> AFL Trade Rumours: The latest on every player and every club
Bolton, who will play possibly his final match at the Tigers against the Suns in Round 24, has played 134 games in yellow and black since debuting in 2017, including the 2019 and 2020 grand final wins.
He won the Mark of the Year in 2021 and was named All-Australian after a career-best 2022 season, but has only shown patches of his best in 2024, having kicked just seven goals in his last five games.
Melbourne Demons
v
Collingwood Magpies
AFL : Head To Head
Fri, 23 Aug 2024, 19:40
Geelong Cats
v
West Coast Eagles
AFL : Head To Head
Sat, 24 Aug 2024, 13:45
Richmond Tigers
v
Gold Coast Suns
AFL : Head To Head
Sat, 24 Aug 2024, 14:10
Hawthorn Hawks
v
North Melbourne Kangaroos
AFL : Head To Head
Sat, 24 Aug 2024, 16:35
Brisbane Lions
v
Essendon Bombers
AFL : Head To Head
Sat, 24 Aug 2024, 19:25
Sydney Swans
v
Adelaide Crows
AFL : Head To Head
Sat, 24 Aug 2024, 19:40
Western Bulldogs
v
Greater Western Sydney Giants
AFL : Head To Head
Sun, 25 Aug 2024, 12:30
Carlton Blues
v
St Kilda Saints
AFL : Head To Head
Sun, 25 Aug 2024, 15:20
Fremantle Dockers
v
Port Adelaide Power
AFL : Head To Head
Sun, 25 Aug 2024, 18:10
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