SOPHIE GANNON: Petracca, Oliver, Curnow wanting a move out of inner-Melbourne is the sign of a cultural reset

Not long ago leaving Melbourne meant leaving football’s heartland. Now, it looks more like liberation.

Just ask Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca.

These three players have something in common: They’re stars, still in their prime years and all desperately wanted a swift exit out of the AFL’s most-tightly held postcode.

The former Blues poster boy, and two Melbourne premiership stars have turned their backs on Victoria’s footy bubble to join Sydney, Greater Western Sydney, and Gold coast.

Historically, moves like this involve a convincing financial incentive, just like Gary Ablett Jr moving to Gold Coast in 2010, but not this time. All three of these players aren’t getting any financial benefit moving out of Melbourne.

In recent times, it seemed to be every AFL star wanted to be part of the nation’s top footy city, but now it seems they can’t pack their bags fast enough.

If this trade period has shown us anything, it’s that the inner-Melbourne bubble has lost its sparkle and some of the league’s biggest players want out.

It’s funny to think that just five years ago, the idea of a star player choosing to go to the Gold Coast on their own freewill would have been laughable. Completely ridiculous.

Fast forward to now and Gold Coast is a destination club.

It’s a club that can offer something Melbourne could never. Privacy, beautiful weather and a laidback lifestyle.

Daniel Rioli and John Noble have already seen the appeal and made the move north last year.

The Suns have finally had a taste of finals footy and adding Petracca into a midfield with All-Australian Noah Anderson and Brownlow Medalist Matt Rowell and maybe a fit Jamarra Ugle-Hagan - will bring a serious boost to the club come next season.

It’s a scary prospect.

Then there’s Curnow. Initially attracted to the idea of moving down the highway to Geelong away from the Melbourne pressure cooker, when Sydney showed interest, he took no time in hopping in Dean Cox’s car upon arrival.

Curnow changes the Swans. He instantly solves their most glaring issue. A legitimate focal point in their forward line. Not only a piece in the puzzle he’s the board upon which the entire puzzle is built.

It was obvious Petracca and Oliver weren’t part of new coach Steven King’s vision. They had to go.

When Oliver finished his 16-minute-long conversation with the Dees, Collingwood put their hand up for the star midfielder. In years gone by this would guarantee Oliver becoming a Magpie playing in front of 70,000 at the G’ every second week. It’s a sign of the times that the All-Australian has chosen to play in front of an 15,000 fans at ENGIE Stadium instead.

It’s clear life under the limelight is not what many of these players are searching for anymore.

Most players don’t want to live under a microscope. They want to just get on with what they love doin - playing footy.

It’s nice to see big-name players away from Melbourne’s glamour clubs. The shift has happened.

The northern clubs have well and truly arrived.