A sensational transfer report claims that Melbourne would consider a transfer of Christian Petracca if it could get Harry McKay from Carlton in return.
It was also revealed that Petracca’s relationship with the Demons was “beyond salvageable”; the mood between the superstar midfielder and several teammates was “noticeably uncomfortable” at the club’s end-of-season party on Saturday night.
According to The Age, Petracca reiterated his desire to play for another Victorian club in 2025, both in conversation with his teammates at the event in question and in his farewell interview on Monday.
Watch every game up to the 2024 AFL Grand Final LIVE on Kayo with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BUY INSTEAD. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
The Demons have made it clear that they will not trade Petracca and it is very unlikely that he will request a trade if there is a possibility that the contract will fall through.
According to the report, “an industry figure familiar with the situation suggested that McKay, as a striker for a prominent Victorian club, was one of the few players who could persuade Melbourne to offload Petracca in a transfer.”
Petracca’s failure to appear for an interview with Channel Seven, which had been promoted on social media, was also described as “sensational”.
“The club had originally signed Petracca for the interview, but Petracca himself withdrew at the last minute after Seven’s chief football reporter Mitch Cleary had already promoted the interview on social media platform X,” the report said.
“Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson told 3AW on Friday that there was a ‘communication error’ during Petracca’s interview.”
Carlton are considered the most likely candidate for Petracca should he be traded, as Collingwood (the other potential suitor) has neither a first-round draft pick nor a forward talent that the Demons would be happy with in return.
McKay has a contract with Carlton until the end of 2030, Petracca has a contract until the end of 2029, and the Blues have “not even considered the prospect of a transfer of McKay”.
“I haven’t heard anything from Carlton and Harry is very happy there,” McKay’s manager Dave Trotter told the outlet.
