New board candidate emerges as Petracca’s confidence in Melbourne’s future grows

Melbourne star Christian Petracca consulted trusted confidants both inside and outside the club – including teammates – last week before choosing to put an end to trade speculation, while moves are being made to convince a former player and Melbourne Cricket Club chairman to join the board.

Petracca’s carefully chosen words were part of a club statement released on the same day as he made it clear to the club he would remain with the Demons, where he is contracted until the end of 2029.

Max Gawn and Christian Petracca were involved in a meeting with other leaders of the Demons’ playing group. Credit: Artwork: Marija Ercegovac

His statement indicated that his primary motivation for enduring weeks of speculation about his future, and where his motivations lay, was simple: To make the football club, and its culture, better so they can regularly contend for premierships again. That was backed up by an industry source familiar with Petracca’s thinking who wished to remain anonymous to speak freely.

Petracca also debunked any notion that he hoped to leave Melbourne to improve his brand and play in front of bigger crowds.

Click here to read article