Demons respond to Petracca ‘disgruntled’ report

[Pelican Press 0]

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Demons respond to Petracca ‘disgruntled’ report

Melbourne insist ********** Petracca will remain at the club until the end of his contract in 2029, responding to a report about the superstar being “disgruntled” at the Demons.

After a Nine Network report stated the 2021 Norm Smith medallist would ask for a trade if he was off-contract due to feeling “disillusioned” at Melbourne, chief executive Gary Pert moved to write a letter to the club’s members.

Pert called Petracca, 28, an “integral” player and leader who the Demons value “immensely”.

“He has been an important member of our football program since he walked through the doors in 2014 and is contracted until the end of the 2029 season,” Pert wrote on Tuesday.

“He will remain in the red and blue until at least the end of his contract and hopefully beyond.”

Petracca suffered a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs when he was crunched by an accidental knee from Collingwood captain Darcy Moore during the King’s Birthday match in June.

Petracca returned to support the Dees on Saturday night for the first time since he was taken away from the MCG in an ambulance, watching as Melbourne’s finals hopes were extinguished in a defeat to Port Adelaide.

Pert did not dispute there was a level of frustration with Petracca as the Demons prepare to miss finals for the first time since 2020.

“The 2024 season has been disappointing for us all and we must quickly turn our attention to what is required moving forward, both on and off the field, to ensure we climb back up the ladder,” he wrote.

“Over recent weeks there have been conversations with many of our leaders, ********** included, about our opportunities for growth.

“These conversations have been open and constructive, with the purpose of ensuring that together we achieve the success we know our AFL program is capable of.

“Conversations like these are a regular part of footy and will continue over the next few weeks, as we map out a clear path towards ensuring our AFL program is back in finals contention in 2025.”

Melbourne legend Garry Lyon said he was not troubled by the speculation surrounding Petracca.

“If they get (West Coast young ****) Harley Reid and (Western Bulldogs tall) Sam Darcy, would you do the trade for ********** Petracca if that’s what it ended up getting to? Maybe you look at it,” Lyon told SEN on Tuesday.

“But right now there is not a snowflake’s chance in ***** that Melbourne would be trading ********** Petracca.”

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