Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca has given teammates a pep talk, expressing to them his strong belief that the Demons are capable of a major resurgence in 2025.

Petracca made his private comments to the Melbourne players back in November, at a training camp in Bright, when skipper Max Gawn also had what were described as “heart-to-heart” discussions with the players, according to three sources, speaking anonymously, who were either present or familiar with events at the camp.

Petracca was “very bullish” about what the Demons could achieve in 2025, addressing how they could get better, while also speaking of the role he could play this year within the team, after a terrible 2024 in which a badly injured Petracca expressed unhappiness with the club’s direction, star teammate Clayton Oliver seriously explored a trade to Geelong and the Demons fell down the ladder and embarrassingly short of finals.

The Bright speech to the players was the second occasion that Petracca has addressed the players in a matter of months, the midfielder having spoken to the group about the trauma he had endured – he suffered a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs on King’s Birthdayagainst Collingwood and missed the remainder of the season – after his return to the club late in the 2024 season.

But the critical difference in the speeches to the group was that on the first occasion, Petracca was explaining his own traumas – the serious nature of the injuries and how he coped. Petracca was also signalling then that he was back in the fold.

In the second speech in Bright, at a camp to reset the Demons for 2025, Petracca’s focus was on the team, and what could be achieved if they dedicated themselves in 2025. According to one source, Petracca made plain that the group simply had to do better, in what was described as a motivational address.

In this second speech, Petracca did not discuss the events that led to him questioning the club’s direction following his King’s Birthday incident, in which he was sent back on to the field briefly with what the player later discovered were broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and a punctured lung – injuries that took a significant emotional toll on the champion.

Petracca’s speech at Bright was part of a process, led by leadership consultant Ben Crowe – best known for his role as mind coach/mentor for tennis champion Ash Barty – in which coach Simon Goodwin told the players that there was no point putting their runners on for a time trial until all involved in the team had an opportunity to say their piece.

That Petracca was willing to stand up and speak – and to express optimism about the Demons’ prospects of surging back up the ladder, having contended for the flag in 2021 (premiers), 2022 and 2023 (failing to win a final in 2022-23) – could be read as a sign that he had put his disgruntlement with aspects of the club firmly in the past.

Petracca has been in recovery from a broken rib suffered at training – in the same rib area that was badly hurt in the King’s Birthday game when Darcy Moore collided with him in a marking contest. He is about a week away from full contact training, according to a club source, and has been completing much of the training with the group.

Melbourne’s leaders, headed by Gawn, had been examining themselves after the disappointing 2024, irrespective of the club-wide review that followed the season of tumult, in which Oliver’s troubled pre-season and absence saw him subsequently struggle for form and to explore a trade to Geelong.

The Demons’ difficulties saw president Kate Roffey step down, along with chief executive Gary Pert, with new president Brad Green and his designated successor and fellow former player Steven Smith driving the search for the new CEO.

Perhaps it's just DL, but the club seems to be positioning (through the media) a narrative change to the last couple of years. Of course talk is cheap but at least it's a start. It looks like we have a relatively straightforward first 5-8 rounds so with the new mindset, 'culture' and winning form - we may just get our standing and belief within the football community back to where it should be.   

Remind me to put the media on my Xmas card list....

Oh yeah right!!🤕

It's nice to hear that the club *seems* to be handling the apparent cohesion issues between some of the players. I'll be waiting until at least round 5 to see if the 'heaviness' we looked like we were playing with over the last couple of seasons has lifted.

This all sounds positive and everything coming out sounds genuine, but it's all here nor there if it doesn't translate to a strong start to the season, as the media will pillory us if we get off to a bad start and we don't seem to be a club that thrives under that kind of pressure. Can we please... PLEEAASEEE... not add to the media fodder and be 4-1 after 5 at least and not do dumb [censored] off field.

Go Dees!

Seems like the issues and or problems have been identified and more importantly dealt with and we seem to be all on the same page based on the article. 

Time will tell if it translates to improved performance on the field (god I hope so). Fingers crossed. 

Edited February 9Feb 9 by DemonOX

 

10 hours ago, DemonOX said:

Seems like the issues and or problems have been identified and more importantly dealt with and we seem to be all on the same page based on the article. 

Time will tell if it translates to improved performance on the field (god I hope so). Fingers crossed. 

l want to hear from Tracc directly before l put this all to bed

On 09/02/2025 at 11:21, BoBo said:

I'll be waiting until at least round 5 to see if the 'heaviness' we looked like we were playing with over the last couple of seasons has lifted.

The curse of winning a premiership, and the expectations that followed. 2024 was almost the year we had to have.

Let it go, let it go, let it go.

On 10/02/2025 at 08:36, Demons1858 said:

l want to hear from Tracc directly before l put this all to bed

Then go to training and have a chat with him.  He's really open to it at the moment.  I've had a couple of chats with him at training, and this report is reflecting pretty much what he's told me in conversation.  He's the happiest I've seen him in a long time.

Edited February 11Feb 11 by Katrina Dee Fan

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Then go to training and have a chat with him.  He's really open to it at the moment.  I've had a couple of chats with him at training, and this report is reflecting pretty much what he's told me in conversation.  He's the happiest I've seen him in a long time.

From what the media and you and others are saying is sounds positive ... when l have been to training, to me anyway, late last year he seemed in his shell a bit ... you can interpret that in different ways ... l don't put a heap of value on what players say to random supporters tbh ... l want him in the media saying he is committed to the club and has moved on so he is on the record ... maybe not now but when he is ready ... l will hold doubts about his long term commitement until he does

8 hours ago, Demons1858 said:

l will hold doubts about his long term commitement until he does

Given the nature of contracts and the trade possibilities these days, we can hold doubts about the long term commitments of all players. Look at how long it took Angus Brayshaw to re-sign, yet it's obvious from hearing him speak since his retirement that he bleeds red and blue, and always did.

All we can ask is that players do what they need to and are fully committed for the season at hand. Anything else is a bonus.

i.e., Petracca doesn't have to justify himself.

Make Melbourne Great Again.

2 hours ago, bing181 said:

Given the nature of contracts and the trade possibilities these days, we can hold doubts about the long term commitments of all players. Look at how long it took Angus Brayshaw to re-sign, yet it's obvious from hearing him speak since his retirement that he bleeds red and blue, and always did.

All we can ask is that players do what they need to and are fully committed for the season at hand. Anything else is a bonus.

i.e., Petracca doesn't have to justify himself.

The concerns about his commitment are next level, its not the same as all players as you suggest. Not all players leak to jornos their desire to leave and give detailed reasons about why. 

7 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

Make Melbourne Great Again.

Please no

There's been a positive culture change on DL as well.

18 hours ago, Demons1858 said:

From what the media and you and others are saying is sounds positive ... when l have been to training, to me anyway, late last year he seemed in his shell a bit ... you can interpret that in different ways ... l don't put a heap of value on what players say to random supporters tbh ... l want him in the media saying he is committed to the club and has moved on so he is on the record ... maybe not now but when he is ready ... l will hold doubts about his long term commitement until he does

Katrina’s not just a random supporter. I’m seriously over people calling the likes of Kat and me random supporters. We deserve more credit than that. Why? Because we devote so much time and effort to the club, ridiculous amounts of both, way too many things to list here, some we can’t list here for various reasons. We do it for one reason that being we love our teams.

Folks like Katrina and I DON’T want or expect thanks, truly we don’t. But not calling us random supporters would be very welcome.

Happy to withdraw the word random. My point however is that players are guarded and usually give a rose coloured view of things. When l have asked players how they are going at training, not once has a player said they are upset with the diection of the club or have issues with the coach staff or fitness staff. l also dont recall reports on this forum from others that have spoken to players saying similar things. Hence, l would love to here from Tracc on the record. He doesnt have to particularly if he doesn't want to stay, but it would be great to hear. My 12 year old son is still annoyed with him and Clayton wanting to leave and others haven't forgotten either

21 minutes ago, Demons1858 said:

Happy to withdraw the word random. My point however is that players are guarded and usually give a rose coloured view of things. When l have asked players how they are going at training, not once has a player said they are upset with the diection of the club or have issues with the coach staff or fitness staff. l also dont recall reports on this forum from others that have spoken to players saying similar things. Hence, l would love to here from Tracc on the record. He doesnt have to particularly if he doesn't want to stay, but it would be great to hear. My 12 year old son is still annoyed with him and Clayton wanting to leave and others haven't forgotten either

I have actually been told negative things by players, doesn’t happen often but has happened. I choose not to talk about it on here.

Your son has every right to be annoyed, especially given his age. Most of us didn’t have to deal with this sort of thing as kids, not to this degree anyways.

BTW, if Koz left there’d be a horde of heartbroken kids such is the prevalence of #36 guernseys.

Edited February 11Feb 11 by Ghostwriter

 

13 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

 

Your son has every right to be annoyed, especially given his age. Most of us didn’t have to deal with this sort of thing as kids, not to this degree anyways.

BTW, if Koz left there’d be a horde of heartbroken kids such is the prevalence of #36 guernseys.

When my son was a young fella Tom Scully was his favourite player cause they shared the same 1st name.
Scully left so he took a shine to Jessie Hogan.
Hogan left the Demons and my young fella was lost to footy.

When I was young I was horrified when Steven Smith changed his number from 35 to 1.
Made my duffel coat that I'd just forked out my hard earned pocket money numbering up during the off season outdated.

42 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

 

When my son was a young fella Tom Scully was his favourite player cause they shared the same 1st name.
Scully left so he took a shine to Jessie Hogan.
Hogan left the Demons and my young fella was lost to footy.

When I was young I was horrified when Steven Smith changed his number from 35 to 1.
Made my duffel coat that I'd just forked out my hard earned pocket money numbering up during the off season outdated.

I still haven't gotten over Jeff Farmer leaving for Freo. Shattered, distraught as a 11 year old, you name it.

I sincerely reckon we could have Western Bulldogs 2016 a flag in the mid 2000's had Farmer stayed....

And yes, I stand by that.

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I still haven't gotten over Jeff Farmer leaving for Freo. Shattered, distraught as a 11 year old, you name it.

I sincerely reckon we could have Western Bulldogs 2016 a flag in the mid 2000's had Farmer stayed....

And yes, I stand by that.

Try being at Subi the following year as a 13/14 year old, right behind the goals as Jeff kicked the after siren winner…. That was a rough night 

1 minute ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Try being at Subi the following year as a 13/14 year old, right behind the goals as Jeff kicked the after siren winner…. That was a rough night 

Neita out of all people to give the free away..

On 11/02/2025 at 22:57, Fork 'em said:

Make Melbourne Great Again.

Cheesy

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Neita out of all people to give the free away..

Yep…. Literally as the siren sounded the umpire blew his whistle. What a disaster that was. I was right behind the kick, it started right and looked like a behind and then somehow swung back the other way, a bit like Jordan Dawson’s from Crows when he did it v Port. Except Farmer was closer to goal.