‘Beyond repair’: Big Blue can unlock Demon mega-deal claims bombshell trade report

A bombshell trade report claims Melbourne would consider trading Christian Petracca if it could land Carlton’s Harry McKay in return.

It was also revealed the relationship between Petracca and the Demons is “beyond repair”, with the vibe between the superstar midfielder and several teammates “noticeably uncomfortable” at the club’s end-of-season function on Saturday night.

The Age reported Petracca has reaffirmed his desire to play for another Victorian club in 2025, both talking to his teammates at said event and in his exit interview on Monday.

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The Demons have been firm in stating they will not trade Petracca and it’s very unlikely he will request a trade if there’s any chance of it falling over.

According to the report “an industry figure familiar with the situation indicated that McKay, as a goalkicking forward at a marquee Victorian club, was one of the few players who could entice Melbourne into relinquishing Petracca as part of a trade”.

Petracca failing to appear for an interview with Channel Seven, which had been promoted on social media, was also noted as “raising eyebrows”.

“The club originally locked in Petracca for the interview, but Petracca, himself, pulled out at the last moment, after Seven’s chief football reporter Mitch Cleary had already promoted the interview on social media platform X,” the report stated.

“Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson told 3AW on Friday that there was a ‘miscommunication’ over Petracca’s interview.”

Carlton is said to be the leading contender for Petracca, if he is to be traded, given that Collingwood (the other leading suitor) does not have a first-round draft pick nor key forward talent to satisfy the Demons in return.

McKay is contracted at Carlton until the end of 2030, with Petracca signed until the end of 2029, and the Blues have “not even raised the prospect” of a trade with McKay.

“I haven’t heard from Carlton and Harry is very happy there,” McKay’s manager Dave Trotter told the outlet.