Christian Petracca’s family are reportedly unhappy with how Melbourne has handled the superstar’s internal injuries that have ended his season.
Petracca returned home from hospital in recent days after requiring surgery and spending time in intensive care from serious internal injuries including a Grade 5 lacerated spleen in Melbourne’s King’s Birthday loss to Collingwood last week.
He’s needed to stay isolated and couldn’t have any visitors at hospital other than his partner Bella to avoid the risk of infection.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
In a now deleted comment on a Melbourne social media post, the 28-year old took responsibility for the decision to re-enter that King’s Birthday game after sustaining the injury, defending Demons medicos who’ve been questioned in the aftermath.
Petracca also announced before the club he wouldn’t play again in 2024.
And speaking on SEN on Monday, Channel 9 journalist Tom Morris put on the agenda that the Petracca family haven’t been on the same page as Melbourne.
“He released via his own account he was out for the season before the club did. Probably gives you an indication of what he and his family thought,” Morris said on SEN.
“Absolutely (they were upset) and frustrated at the club. I think it’s more what happened in the days that followed. There was certainly a feeling from the Petracca family the club could’ve done things better.”
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson shed more light on the matter, revealing the the Demons have questioned their handling of the matter including whether they should’ve mentioned his return to training plan in an injury update.
Wilson ultimately believes the call for Petracca to return to the King’s Birthday game has caused the most disharmony.
Looming draft change ‘confusing’ – Voss | 02:27
“I think Melbourne is very worried. This is such a sensitive issue … I think it all dates back to the decision to put him back onto the ground,” she said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“We know Petracca put out that post saying he was responsible for the decision, he then removed that post. It’s just interesting.
“Head of footy Alan Richardson has asked himself if he could have been more sensitive in his comments about Petracca’s (return to training plan), although he did specify they were putting his welfare first, given the terrible situation he was in.
“It’s difficult, do you deal with the player and his partner when the player is 28 and lives with his partner? Or do you deal with his parents? Maybe they needed to talk to everyone, not just Petracca and his partner.”
Wilson said Morris’ story was a “shock” to the Demons they “didn’t see coming,” which comes as the club looks to bounce back from consecutive losses prior to their bye.
“I think Alan Richardson was in the hospital that night and wasn’t allowed to visit Christian … he couldn’t have visitors,” Wilson added.
“All the team including the coach (Simon Goodwin) went on a five-day break, so all the contact was via text message for the first few days.
“Because the story broke, they’re saying: ‘Could we have done this? Could we have done that?’
“I think it goes back to the decision to put him back on, I think that was such a mistake by everyone concerned.
“I I know the AFL has cleared it, (but) I think systems need to change if that can happen in the first place … I think it goes to how shattered (the Petracca family) were.”