Melbourne has commented on a recent report surrounding superstar midfielder Christian Petracca and his position with the Demons, stating their premiership bull won't be parting the club.
Petracca had reportedly caught the attention of at least one other club following a frustrating period for the 28-year-old, who saw his 2024 campaign brought to an abrupt ending due to a spleen injury suffered in mid-June.
The report in question suggested Petracca was "disgruntled" at Melbourne and "disillusioned with the club's direction", with the 2021 Norm Smith Medal winner believed to be "open to a trade" if he was off-contract this year.
Petracca, who is in the second season of a seven-year deal with the Demons, would need the club's permission to find a new club.
In a letter to Demons members on Tuesday, Melbourne CEO Gary Pert said Petracca is an integral and much-loved member of the Melbourne Football Club" and revealed the club has held discussions with several players on how the club can improve going forward.
"Following the media speculation last night regarding Christian Petracca, I want to take the opportunity to provide clarity to you all," Pert wrote.
"Christian is an integral and much-loved member of the Melbourne Football Club. He is a key pillar of our club's future, and we value him immensely, not only as a player but as a person and a leader.
"He has been an important member of our football program since he walked through the doors in 2014 and is contracted until the end of the 2029 season. He will remain in the red and blue until at least the end of his contract and hopefully beyond.
"Following his season-ending injury in June, Christian is still very much in a recovery and rehabilitation period and his health and well-being remain the club's priority. He recently spent some time away in Noosa with his fiancรฉ Bella, and I know staff, players, coaches and our supporters were thrilled to see him back at the club late last week as he commenced some very light training.
"As we approach the end of the season, we have commenced discussions with a cross-section of players, coaches and staff within our football program to discuss the improvements we need to make to return to the level we expect from our AFL program.
"The 2024 season has been disappointing for us all and we must quickly turn our attention to what is required moving forward, both on and off the field, to ensure we climb back up the ladder.
"A key part of this process is openly discussing any opportunities we identify where we can seek to improve. Over recent weeks there have been conversations with many of our leaders, Christian included, about our growth opportunities. These conversations have been open and constructive, with the purpose of ensuring that together we achieve the success we know our AFL program is capable of.
"Conversations like these are a regular part of footy and will continue over the next few weeks, as we map out a clear path towards ensuring our AFL program is back in finals contention in 2025.
"Importantly, this process starts now, and Goody, Max and the entire football program look forward to finishing the season strongly and playing a brand of footy that makes you, our members, proud over the coming two weeks."
Petracca has played 189 games for Melbourne, winning two best and fairests and four All-Australian selections while playing a key role in the club's 2021 premiership side.
