‘We’re still close friends’: Why Petracca’s bond with Oliver remains strong

Christian Petracca insists his move to the Gold Coast Suns was a pure football decision, and he and fellow former Demons star Clayton Oliver will remain friends for life.

Petracca and Oliver, two key figures in Melbourne’s breakthrough 2021 premiership, will begin the 2026 campaign at new clubs after being involved in two of the biggest-name trades this week.

The Demons have endured underlying cultural issues in recent years – Petracca and Oliver each having their own battles, and each last year having explored what ultimately were failed trades to new clubs.

As part of a cultural refresh under new coach Steven King, Oliver was told to look for a new home, while Petracca would have been welcomed back had a trade not eventuated.

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Despite the frustration he has endured since his hospitalisation last year after a sickening injury in the King’s Birthday clash, Petracca said he held no ill will towards the Demons.

“I’m incredibly grateful and appreciative of my time at Melbourne. I’ve made so many special memories and friends that I’ll hold with me for the rest of my life,” Petracca said on Friday.

“Footy was always the No.1 priority of my decision. I love my job, I’m passionate about my football, I know I can go to another level with my football.

“Every year you see the Suns get better and better, and I want to be part of something special.”

The Demons reaped selections seven, eight and 37 in this year’s national draft and the Suns’ first-round pick next year as part of the Petracca trade.

Petracca said he and Oliver, now with GWS, had been in regular contact through the trade period.

“I wouldn’t say [it’s] goodbye because, at the end of the day, we are still close friends. We’ll always remain close,” Petracca said.

“We kept in contact pretty much every day through this trade period. I will definitely miss him, for sure. I will miss all my teammates, my ex-teammates, but that’s footy. But our friendships run deeper than football.”

Petracca played 212 games in 11 seasons for the Demons, but was keen to refresh despite having four years remaining on his current contract.

He said he had been impressed by Suns coach Damien Hardwick’s pitch to him, while assistant coach Shaun Grigg outlined what Petracca’s role in the side would be.

“I think it’s pretty similar to what I played in the past, that mid, forward role,” Petracca said.

“It’s crazy when you look at some of my teammates that are going to be in the midfield with me – Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller as well … hopefully, I can bring something to them, but also I can learn off them as well.”

Petracca said he looked forward to having the flashy Bailey Humphrey as his teammate, the latter having met with King in Melbourne during the trade period. The Suns refused to even consider trading the former Gippsland gun.

The 2021 Norm Smith medallist revealed he had been in contact with Humphrey for “three or four years” after admiring his draft-year highlights.

“I’m incredibly excited to work with someone like him. He reminds me of myself when I was at that age, raw, but he came fourth in the best and fairest, which is pretty scary considering how many more levels he can go to,” Petracca said.

“We had a phone call the other day about his role and how excited I am to play with him and learn off him about that role and how explosive he is. The culture of the Suns is why I came here, too. What they’re building is special.”

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