AFL superstar Christian Petracca again considering move away from Melbourne

There are signs, once again, that AFL superstar Christian Petracca might seek a trade away from Melbourne.

And like Essendon captain Zach Merrett, Hawthorn have emerged as a potential suitor.

The 29-year-old Norm Smith medallist considered leaving Melbourne last year after a nightmare 2024 where his season was controversially ruined by serious injury that included broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen.

The club blocked that attempt, but jungle drums are beating again, and Petracca would reportedly now consider a move away from Victoria, with clubs such as Adelaide, Gold Coast and Sydney suggested.

Petracca’s contract ends in 2029 (reportedly peaking at $1.7 million a year) but it is possible now Melbourne may also consider letting him go.

“Petracca ... there’s the first signs that this could be contemplated by both Petracca and Melbourne,” The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison said on Monday night, while making it clear that new coach Steven King was probably “on a different page”.

Expert commentator Kane Cornes said if Hawthorn emerged as a favourite, they would be wise to grab Petracca ahead of Merrett.

“I think similar age, probably similar assets to get them out, ... probably two first-round picks for both,” Cornes said.

Although 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said Merrett was “probably worth a bit more given Petracca’s last 12 months”.

Cornes said: “Yeah, I think Petracca fits in better, though. I look at a midfield with Will (Day), (Jai) Newcombe and Petracca, and I think that is a powerful midfield. That’s extraordinary.

“Because I just think that Hawthorn are ready, they’ve got (Josh) Ward, they’ve got (Cameron) Mackenzie who can’t get himself in the team, they’ve got very similar players to what Merrett is.

“They’re not as good as Merrett. They’re certainly not as good a ball user as what Zach Merrett is. He’s a beautiful kick.

“I would think you put your best deal to Essendon for Merrett, and if they say no, I think you at least put that same deal to Melbourne for Petracca.

“And you speak to Christian about his desire to play for Melbourne. We hear once again today that he wants out. He’s a better fit at Hawthorn for what they need than what Zach Merrett is.”

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Cleary said: “Christian’s weighing this up.

“I think Christian going forward and the ability to (to play as a forward-mid) is a bigger upside for Hawthorn, because Zach Merrett can only play midfield and half-back, and the Hawks have got half-backs coming out of their ears.”

Hutchison said that we were going to see more of this.

“Established players who are in contracts, who’ve got that security, they risk going, (but) they’re happy to walk back in if it all goes wrong, and we’re going to see more and more of it.”

Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson said Hawthorn could not pull out of a Merrett deal now given all the drama that it has already caused at Essendon.