A bombshell trade report claims Melbourne would consider trading Christian Petracca if it could land Carlton’s Harry McKay in return, but the Blues forward’s manager has categorically dispelled any interest in that idea from his client.
It was also revealed the relationship between Petracca and the Demons is “beyond repair”, with the vibe between the superstar midfielder and several teammates “noticeably uncomfortable” at the club’s end-of-season function on Saturday night.
The Age’s Sam McClure reported Petracca has reaffirmed his desire to play for another Victorian club in 2025, both talking to his teammates at said event and in his exit interview on Monday.
Watch every game until the 2024 AFL Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
“All I can tell you is there was an uncomfortability around elements of the (Melbourne) function, which was dominated by the talk of what Christian was doing,” McClure later said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
“Not unlike a few years ago when the Essendon best and fairest was dominated by whether Joe Daniher was going to request a trade to Sydney.
“There have been some relationships between Christian and senior Melbourne players that have become strained. That’s not to say they can’t be fixed
“But as I sit here tonight, my personal view is I would find if difficult to see Christian going back to that football club next year. It may happen, but there is some toxicity now involved.”
McKay’s agent, Dave Trotter, told SEN reporter Sam Edmund on Tuesday that his client had no interest in being traded to the Demons.
“There is absolutely no way Harry would consider going to Melbourne,” Trotter said, via SEN.
“Harry will not be going anywhere. Carlton have said it (trade noise) is not coming from them, and Melbourne have said it’s not coming from them.
“Harry is an absolute no. 100 per cent.”
The Petracca story was backed up as being “correct” by SEN’s Sam Edmund, who said Petracca was “trying to plot a path out of the Demons.”
The Demons have been firm in stating they will not trade Petracca and it’s very unlikely he will request a trade if there’s any chance of it falling over.
According to the report, “an industry figure familiar with the situation indicated that McKay, as a goalkicking forward at a marquee Victorian club, along with fellow Blues star Charlie Curnow are among few players who could entice Melbourne into relinquishing Petracca as part of a trade”.
However it claims Curnow, who shares the same manager as Petracca, Robbie D’Orazio, won’t be traded.
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd believes it’s reaching a stage where it may be best for Melbourne to start seriously entertaining trades.
“Two days ago, or even a week ago I would’ve said you just fight for Christian and have another year at it and see if we can sort things out.
“But I think it’s going past that point. I’m happy to say I’ve spoken to a couple of his teammates, and they probably think now it’s best for Christian to leave the club.
“They’re frustrated as much with Christian as Christian is with the club. So, it might have got to that point of no return.
“The problem is if Harry McKay says no, the whole thing falls over.”
AFL’s 2024 All-Australian squad revealed | 03:24
Petracca failing to appear for an interview with Channel Seven, which had been promoted on social media, was also noted as “raising eyebrows”.
“The club originally locked in Petracca for the interview, but Petracca, himself, pulled out at the last moment, after Seven’s chief football reporter Mitch Cleary had already promoted the interview on social media platform X,” the report stated.
“Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson told 3AW on Friday that there was a ‘miscommunication’ over Petracca’s interview.”
Carlton is said to be the leading contender for Petracca, if he is to be traded, given that Collingwood (the other leading suitor) does not have a first-round draft pick nor key forward talent to satisfy the Demons in return.
Though according to Edmund, Petracca wouldn’t only play for those two big Victorian sides.
McKay is contracted at Carlton until the end of 2030, with Petracca signed until the end of 2029, and the Blues have “not even raised the prospect” of a trade with McKay.
However, McClure on the Channel 9 program said he believes the Blues would be open to a McKay-Petracca trade.
Blues stars speak on dramatic Sunday | 02:35
McClure on Footy Classified also opened up on the reasons Petracca wants out of Melbourne.
-The club’s “unprofessional” approach to the Clayton Oliver situation last year, which saw the fellow Demons star dangled on the trade table.
-Melbourne’s handling of Petracca’s life-threatening, season-ending internal injuries.
-The Demons’ decline since the 2021 premiership, having not won a final since including going out in straight sets the last two years and missing the top eight altogether this season
-His desire to play in front of big crowds
-Ability to enhance his brand (cooking social media account etc.) to boost off-field earnings
“This is extraordinary, this is the most explosive pre-finals trade story I can remember for a long time. The drama around it is quite extraordinary,” veteran journalist Caroline Wilson responded.
“Will (club CEO) Gary Pert or (footy manager) Alan Richardson or even (coach) Simon Goodwin be held accountable for this debacle?”
McClure replied: “It’s the million dollar question. Clearly there’s some accountability (needed) here, not just with Christian Petracca, but for Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen and everything that’s happened with Joel Smith. We’re not just talking about one trade story.”
