Melbourne star Christian Petracca's last nine months have been well documented.
From suffering a season-ending injury that ventured toward life-threatening, to speculation around his future at the Demons, and now 10 games back, safe to say Petracca has been through it all.
But the 2021 Norm Smith medallist said he wouldn't change any of it, despite the dark times he and his family and friends faced in June and July last year.
Petracca quoted Australian UFC champion Alex Volkanovski, saying, "adversity is a privilege", which resonates significantly with the 29-year-old.
"It's amazing, and an incredible feeling to be back after everything that happened last year with my injury," Petracca said ahead of his 200th AFL match.
"It's given me great perspective, and I'm really appreciative of the job I had. This year, there was no real expectation, internally, of me. I do put a lot of pressure on myself, but to be back playing and feeling healthy, it's everything I've ever wanted."
Petracca's road to 200 games has included everything.
Top 5 Pick. Season-ending knee injury. All-Australians. Best and Fairests. Premiership. Norm Smith.
The 29-year-old acknowledged the rollercoaster he has been on to date, but despite taking football "for granted", he has since shifted his priorities.
One of those priorities is the leadership aspect, guiding the new wave of Demons into the AFL.
Melbourne has welcomed a bevy of first-round selections in the past four years, but Petracca has taken the likes of Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup under his wing.
"I've taken a different role this year," Petracca said.
"I'm trying to be the best player I can be, but we got a lot of young guys coming through... and for me, I'm transitioning into that more leadership role, and help those guys because they are the future of the footy club.
"And I want to get better at being a leader."
Speculation around Petracca's future will always arise following his exploration following his traumatic injury in 2024.
But the four-time All-Australian wiped away any doubt among the Demons camp that he'd be going anywhere, with his contract lasting until the end of 2029.
"Yes, definitely," Petracca said.
"Externally, I understand the noise surrounding that, but, internally, I know, my teammates know, my coaches know, the club knows that I'm a Melbourne person through and through.
"Last year was nothing more than wanting to make this football club better and see success."
Petracca will bring up his milestone clash against Sydney at the MCG on Sunday in front of the Melbourne faithful.
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