Let’s play the hypothetical trading game for a moment.
Imagine Christian Petracca did officially ask for a trade out of Melbourne — how are the other 17 clubs placed to land him?
The Demons superstar reportedly addressed his premiership teammates about his frustrations with the club and the physical and mental toll of his life threatening injuries that have ended the 28-year old’s season.
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It’s the reported first time Petracca has spoken in a public setting since recent reports first emerged around his grievances and openness to a bombshell trade.
And while all indications right now are that Petracca will remain with Melbourne, there will be fascination surrounding one of the biggest superstars in the game until the trade period comes and goes.
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon was steadfast that the club should do everything in its power to retain the 2021 Norm Smith medallist, who’s contracted until 2029 on a lucrative deal signed in 2021.
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But if it came to it, Lyon said the only club the Demons should be open to trading him to is Tasmania, who’s set to enter the competition in 2028.
“That’s the only circumstance (Melbourne should consider a Petracca trade),” Lyon said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.
“You’ve got a seven-year contract, and if you’re still unhappy after the next three, open discussion with the Tasmanian footy club.
“That’s the only way it could happen.”
So what about the other 17 clubs? How appealing would they be for a star of Petracca’s ilk? After all, if he did want out of Melbourne, he’d get to nominate his destination.
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Plus, who actually has the assets to put together a legitimate package — a package that’d likely be similar to the three early picks GWS received for Jeremy Cameron in 2020 — in the unlikely event of a trade?
The trading of future first-round picks two years in advance being pushed back to 2025 by the AFL also makes it enormously difficult to see how any teams could scrounge enough assets.
But still, let’s run through how every club is placed right now.
ADELAIDE
The Crows were the club most heavily linked to Petracca’s teammate, Clayton Oliver, last off-season in a bid to beef up their midfield. So could they make a big play for Petracca too? You suspect Petracca would be keen to remain in Victoria, making Adelaide an unlikely landing spot, though the Crows do have some appealing pieces they could offer up. That includes the fourth overall selection in this year’s draft and key forwards Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty — the type of players Melbourne have long been crying out for. The clubs are potentially already set to do business, with Adelaide the frontrunner to land Alex Neal-Bullen as he seeks a move back to South Australia for family reasons.
Current draft picks: 4, 27, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
BRISBANE LIONS
You can almost put a line through Brisbane. For this year’s first rounder is set to be absorbed on top father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft, while 2025 Academy prospect Sam Marshall is also touted as a first-round player. It comes despite the Herald Sun reporting Petracca met with Lions star Lachie Neale in Melbourne over the weekend, however that report pointed out Petracca’s future wasn’t discussed between the two. If Petracca was open to a move interstate, the Lions would be among the most appealing options as a bona fide contender, it’s just hard to see them having the picks – or salary cap space – to make it happen. Eric Hipwood could be of interest to the Dees.
Current draft picks: 14, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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CARLTON
Would be one of the big teams to watch if a Petracca trade eventuated. The Blues probably tick the most boxes as a big Victorian powerhouse club that looks set to contend for flags in the next few years with a star-studded list. Imagine Petracca alongside Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh in the midfield. The Blues also crucially have their first round-pick this year after a quieter 2023 trade period, while they’ve been linked to Dan Houston to signal the club is open for business and further bolstering its list. Of course, if Carlton did land Houston, it’d likely rule it out of any other big moves. Perhaps the bigger roadblock is whether the Blues could fit Petracca’s $1 million plus salary cap into their books after re-signing all their big guns. The Dees would ask for Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay, and while you sense both are very much off limits, the only way Carlton would even consider such an option is if it could get back a player of Petracca’s caliber.
Current draft picks: 11, 31, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
COLLINGWOOD
Considered the frontrunner if Petracca were to want out of the Demons, according to The Herald Sun, and the club the superstar grew up supporting including calling Scott Pendlebury his “GOAT” on the Dyl & Friends podcast earlier this year. You can picture it, and heck, it’s been hard to ignore Pies fans clamouring for Petracca since recent trade talk first emerged. However, Collingwood’s capacity to pull off a blockbuster trade looks extremely unlikely given the reigning premiers are without their first-round pick following the Lachie Schultz trade. The Pies also don’t have any young players with any real trade value or ready-made stars that make sense for Melbourne or that Collingwood would realistically part ways with.
Current draft picks: 32, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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ESSENDON
Another of the big Victorian clubs that plays in the blockbuster games. And thus the Bombers have to be given some consideration, which could give Zach Merrett a true superstar midfield partner for the first time in his career. Essendon appears to be moving in the right direction with a promising list, while it showed last year it’s still very much a destination club despite a lack of finals success in recent times. Essendon’s first-round pick, however, looks set to be absorbed by Next Generation Academy prospect Izak Kako as a potential top-15 selection. In saying that, if Petracca were to become available, the club would probably need to seriously rethink its plans. The Bombers do have several young players that could appeal in a trade such as Archie Perkins, Nik Cox, Zach Reid and Elijah Tsatas.
Current draft picks: 8, 28, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
FREMANTLE
If it were to be an NBA-style pure bidding for a player on the open market, the Dockers would effectively be the best positioned of any club to woo the Demons with a godfather offer they couldn’t refuse. Of course, Fremantle has two extra first-round picks tied to Collingwood and Port Adelaide, but the club already has other plans — nor would it likely be on Petracca’s radar. The Dockers are seen as the frontrunners for wantaway Tigers star Shai Bolton, while they’re also in the mix for fellow Richmond gun Liam Baker. Freo is also probably preserving salary cap space for a big play for Swans superstar and West Australian native Chad Warner, who’s out of contract next year and set to receive bumper offers to leave Sydney.
Current draft picks: 9, 10, 17, 26, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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GEELONG CATS
Can never rule out the Cats. They have a knack for finding ways to bring in superstars including being the favourite to land Western Bulldogs gun Bailey Smith. As such, that likely puts a line through Geelong and Petracca, unless Cats list boss and football manager Andrew Mackie can weave some magic. As far as pure appeal goes, Geelong under Chris Scott has one of the best cultures in the AFL. So if Petracca were to pursue an off-Broadway type move and want to get out of the bright lights of Melbourne, but remain close to home, they make sense.
Current draft picks: 15, 35, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
GOLD COAST SUNS
Their biggest recruit since Gary Ablett Jr.? Unlike other clubs, Gold Coast has the assets to make it happen, but it’s hard to see Petracca leaving Melbourne for the Suns even if they’re building one of the most exciting lists in the competition and a renewed culture under Damien Hardwick. At least one of Gold Coast’s high-end picks will get swallowed up by Academy prospect Leo Lombard, while another Academy player, Zeke Uwland, is in the first-round mix for next year. If Melbourne could get Ben King and picks, the Suns would almost be the club’s preferred trade partner, but that’s a different conversation to where Petracca might want to go. At least it’s closer to Noosa?
Current draft picks: 5, 13, 20, 24, 34, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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GWS GIANTS
Another team you can’t imagine would be in the sweepstakes. But where GWS could appeal is the culture its built virtually since entering the competition in 2012 — a culture that’s been revitalised under Adam Kingsley as one of the prime flag contenders. A super talented list that looks capable of contending for flags in the years to come, Petracca could also amplify his ever-growing social media brand with the Giants’ renowned social media content — widely seen as the AFL’s best. GWS is also reportedly hard capped with funds tied up to so many stars.
Current draft picks: 16, 36, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
HAWTHORN
If not for their current commitments to other targets, the Hawks would have to be firmly in the race. Sam Mitchell’s reborn, showtime Hawks are arguably the most watchable and fun team in the competition right now with a budding nucleus. Dare we say, another dynasty? Hawthorn has already emerged as a destination club again, with the cashed-up club strongly favoured to land Eagles gun defender Tom Barrass, while Saints free agent Josh Battle is also pondering a move to Waverley Park. It’s virtually impossible to see how the Hawks could get both Barrass and Petracca, so a move for the Demons superstar is probably more one to watch down the track should he stay put for now. If it was Hawthorn, Mitch Lewis would be a target for Melbourne.
Current draft picks: 12, 29, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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NORTH MELBOURNE
Could the Roos sell the vision of their promising direction? While North is yet to make really tangible progress under Alastair Clarkson, it’s building one of the most exciting lists in the competition and has as good a long-term outlook as any club. Realistically, the Roos probably don’t have the foundation yet to make a real play for the top players on the market. Clarkson has confirmed as much and revealed the club is targeting elder statesmen — including fellow Dees star Jack Viney — to help fast-track the development of the younger players. Even if Melbourne is on the decline and the Roos are on the rise, it’s tough to see Petracca going to a worse situation. The Dees would ask the question of Nick Larkey, but you imagine he’s an untouchable.
Current draft picks: 2, 22, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
PORT ADELAIDE
As mentioned, there’s no indication Petracca would be willing to head interstate, thus making Port, who’s reportedly targeting Petracca’s teammate, Kysaiah Pickett again, an unlikely destination. The Power also don’t have a first-round pick this year, further compromising their already faint hopes. The Demons have been linked to Dan Houston — even if that bid appears to have fallen over — while they could already be doing a deal with Port for Alex Neal-Bullen if he chooses Alberton over West Lakes. As fanciful as it seems, could a package centred around Houston and Todd Marshall for Petracca and Neal-Bullen be a framework?
Current draft picks: 37, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
RICHMOND
While Richmond is one of the biggest Victoria clubs, it just doesn’t make sense right now. The Tigers are in full-blown reset mode to the point where they’re one of few clubs that’d probably prefer to take picks to the draft instead of using them to attract a superstar. And particularly with Tasmania’s impending AFL admission, expect Richmond to ‘trust the process’ for a few years and rebuild through the draft. Plus, Richmond has its hands full already with several stars set to request trades away from the club.
Current draft picks: 1, 21, 30, 39, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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ST KILDA
Could the Saints atone for passing on Petracca with Pick 1 all those years ago? Unless he wants to be closer to the beach, you don’t imagine the Saints would be a serious contender for the four-time All-Australian compared to some of the bigger Victorian clubs. But they might be among the best placed with cash to splash. If Josh Battle leaves, St Kilda would get a high compensation pick and have a juicy draft hand to use in trades. It’d almost certainly make an aggressive pitch for Petracca given the club has been linked to basically every big name out of contract over the last 12 months.
Current draft picks: 6, 24, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
SYDNEY SWANS
If Petracca was open to a move from Victoria, Sydney feels like one of, if not the, favourite landing spot. The infamous Bloods culture has made the Swans one of the most successful football programs over the modern era including John Longmire’s team leading the flag race at the time of writing. Plus, who wouldn’t want to play with the likes of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden with the current form they’re in? Sydney has two 2024 first-round picks to play with, while these clubs have recent history at the trade table after making one of the biggest deals of last year’s trade period in Brodie Grundy’s move north. Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald would be obvious targets for Melbourne.
Current draft picks: 18, 19, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
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WEST COAST EAGLES
The non-Victorian club currently in the worst position of any — and still without a coach for 2025 — making the Eagles arguably the least likely landing spot even if they have one of the best young stars in the competition also represented by Connor Sports Management. The Eagles need to get their own house in order before they can start pitching to players on the market. And right now, West Coast couldn’t be further from a destination club and is more likely to face a mini exodus while clearly prioritising bringing in draft picks, and overall, more young talent.
Current draft picks: 3, 23, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
WESTERN BULLDOGS
With no first-round pick this year after last trade period’s deal with the Suns that nabbed them Ryley Sanders, the Bulldogs probably won’t be big players this exchange window. The likely departure of Bailey Smith should hand the Dogs another high-end pick, but they realistically probably couldn’t offer an attractive enough package to Melbourne without parting ways with one of their star key position players. Even if they’re arguably as well positioned as any team long term, the Dogs also don’t necessarily have the bright lights appeal of some of the bigger Victorian sides.
Current draft picks: 33, 2025 first rounder, 2025 second rounder
