Demons star flies to Adelaide as trade talk ramps up
Roger Vaughan |
Christian Petracca has flown to Adelaide, further fuelling speculation the Melbourne star will try to switch AFL clubs.
While Petracca would not comment at Adelaide Airport on Monday, the Crows are known to be interested in recruiting him to boost their midfield. Petracc’s wife Bella and manager Anna Scully made the trip with him.
The 2021 premiership Demon and Norm Smith medallist, recruited with the No.2 pick in the 2014 draft, finished runner-up in this year’s club best-and-fairest voting.
Petracca, 29, has played 212 games for the Demons and has four years left on his contract.
His Adelaide visit comes 12 months after rampant trade speculation erupted surrounding Petracca and Clayton Oliver, before the two gun midfielders committed to Melbourne.
The Demons finished out of the top eight for second-straight season, sacking coach Simon Goodwin and appointing Steven King.
Gold Coast also are said to be interested in Petracca, one of the biggest names in the October 6-15 trade period. With the season now over, trade talk will ramp up even further.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett ignited a media firestorm earlier this month when it was revealed he had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
New Bombers president Andrew Welsh has reiterated there is no way they will trade Merrett, who is certain to win his sixth club best-and-fairest award this Thursday night.
Merrett is set to attend the function and his acceptance speech will make headlines.
Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow’s future is uncertain, with speculation he might try to secure a trade to Geelong. Like Merrett and Petracca, he is on a lucrative contract at his current club.
The Cats are also said to be interested in St Kilda ruck-forward Rowan Marshall and are set to recruit Hawthorn free agent James Worpel.
Gold Coast could also try to snare Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott, who is considering a two-year contract offer from the Magpies.
AAP
