Revealed: Crows’ confidence in landing Demons superstar builds as Petracca warms to exit

Adelaide is increasingly confident that Christian Petracca will choose them as his preferred trade destination this off-season.

Foxfooty.com.au can reveal that the Crows are now pondering how they can best facilitate a deal with Melbourne, given the star midfielder is contracted with the Demons until the end of 2029.

Adelaide believe he is warming to the idea of a move to South Australia.

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Only 12 months ago, Petracca’s name emerged in heavy trade speculation, with Collingwood and Geelong among the Victorian clubs linked to a blockbuster move.

Ultimately, Melbourne were quick to shut down the talk and reaffirm their commitment to the Norm Smith Medallist, who endured a serious season-ending injury in the 2024 King’s Birthday clash.

But he’s willing to entertain a move to a new club this off-season as first reported by Nine’s Chief Football Reporter Tom Morris a week ago, who revealed that, unlike last year, the 29-year-old is now open to moving interstate to a club like Sydney, Gold Coast or the Crows.

While Adelaide are evidently in need of a game-breaking midfielder of Petracca’s mould, Foxfooty.com.au understands the club isn’t willing to move heaven and earth to acquire him — or, in other words, act on anything they perceive to be an overpay.

Evidently, there is still plenty to play out before any informal or formal request from Petracca to leave Melbourne, but it looks set to make for an intriguing watch come the first day of this off-season’s trade period, beginning Monday, October 6.

The Demons, who recently appointed Steven King as their new head coach to replace premiership-winning Simon Goodwin, currently hold picks 23, 53 (tied to Brisbane) and 59 in this year’s draft.

Adelaide hold selections 14, 41, 48, 50, 66 and 68 — in addition to all of their future picks.

This report comes days after Morris also revealed Melbourne has informed premiership defender Steven May to seek a trade.

Brisbane flag hero Callum Ah Chee is also set to request a trade to Adelaide in the coming weeks.