Three clubs that make most sense for Petracca trade… and why Dees must consider it

A trade agreement between Melbourne and an acquiring party for Christian Petracca is going to be difficult to achieve — but it is achievable nonetheless, and there are three clubs that can feasibly throw their hats in the ring.

And while foxfooty.com.au has previously explored how every club would be placed to launch a pursuit of the superstar midfielder-forward, here, we explore the trade partners that make the most sense both for them and the Demons — and which assets need to be sacrificed.

Realistically, three landing spots make the most feasible sense for Petracca, considering what he reportedly desires — Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn.

Watch the 2024 AFL Awards, with the All-Australian team reveal, Rising Star and more, Thursday 7:30pm AEST exclusively live on Fox Footy and Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

“I would run both lanes (if I were) Melbourne here; I would try to heal over the next period of time, and I would absolutely explore what was there — because you’ll never get a piece like this again,” AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley told Fox Footy this week.

“If you’ve got deficiencies that you want to address (as a team), then see what is there in the market — because there’s such a such a period of time (between now and the trade period) … ‘we can’t get anything that represents fair value, so we’re going to hold’.

“Or, if you can get what you want, if it’s a seller’s market, then use that moment in time.”

Nine journalist Sam McClure detailed five key points regarding the Petracca-Melbourne situation on a recent episode of the Tradies podcast:

1. He wants to be traded to a Victorian rival club

2. He desires playing in front of big crowds

3. Melbourne wants a key forward in return as part of a hypothetical trade

4. The Demons want one of Carlton’s Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay in a potential trade

5. Melbourne’s viewpoint on keeping Petracca does not matter

Keeping those ideas in mind, here is how the Blues, Magpies and Hawks can ignite a Petracca deal that would result in a win-win.

CARLTON

As quickly as the Harry McKay noise arose was it shushed. As far as his manager’s comments go, he won’t be going to Melbourne as part of any Petracca deal. The fervent opposition to the suggestion of a move speaks volumes, not that we should believe absolutely everything we hear as trade season quickly approaches. Regardless, the Blues would likely need to surrender a quality player in any Petracca trade, along with draft capital. Is it one of McKay or Charlie Curnow? Or is it, say, Jack Silvagni or Brodie Kemp? The Blues have Picks 11 and 31 to play with, as well as future selections to danger in front of the Demons. Make no mistake about this, though: Petracca would be a frightening force alongside one of the AFL’s most revered captains in Patrick Cripps — who could very well snag a second Brownlow Medal in a couple of weeks. But as things stand for Michael Voss’ unconvincing outfit, which snuck into September by the skin of its teeth, there aren’t enough Carlton onballers currently matching what Cripps is providing at the contest and between the arcs in general, and that needs to change ahead of a critical September. It can’t keep being Patrick Cripps or bust in that engine room. Has Sam Walsh had enough of a matchwinning impact in 2024? These are the kinds of questions that need to be asked ahead of the player acquisition period. As a wider discussion, however, and going forward, adding Petracca to an already-solid ball-winning contingent could legitimately be the catalyst for a long-awaited premiership. But as is the case for the next two clubs, too, things get messy when we start talking about trading players and draft capital. Put simply — like the other clubs dreaming of acquiring Petracca — it’s just going to be so hard to make things work.

COLLINGWOOD

If only the Magpies had more assets to play with in trade negotiations. Everything about the club’s powerhouse status screams the mould that Petracca is searching for, but unfortunately, they’ll be facing the steepest of uphill battles to secure his services — something even coach Craig McRae is fully aware of. “I joke about ‘I’ve got a car park for him’; because you’re having fun with it … it’s unrealistic,” McRae told SEN earlier this week. “You deal in facts, and you deal with what’s real; I’m not privy to what the rumours are (about Petracca), but we have our own draft hand — and you go ‘well, that probably doesn’t work’.” As things currently stand, Collingwood doesn’t have a selection until No. 32, and with pick-trading limited to this year and next, there isn’t a lot the Pies can offer without throwing in a blue-chip asset. Nathan Kreuger may not fit the echelon of ‘blue-chip’, but he is someone the Demons may welcome alongside some strong draft picks, due to their well-documented key-position needs. And there is also Joe Richards, who is currently pondering a move elsewhere with strong offers in front of him from rival clubs. If you threw in both those talents and a couple of future picks, would it turn the heads of Melbourne’s list-management gurus? Dan McStay and Brody Mihocek are the Pies’ most integral forwards; hence it’s hard seeing them moved on in order to land Petracca. A Collingwood fan as a child, the attraction to playing in the black and white needs little selling. Their 2024 draft selections of 48 and 50 are unlikely to hold much weight in a prospectively blockbuster trade, but nonetheless, they hold them.

HAWTHORN

Yes, Hawthorn. The club that has seemingly been tied to every somewhat-gettable AFL player — contracted or otherwise — on the market this year. With West Coast star Tom Barrass destined to join the Hawks and unrestricted free agent Josh Battle confirming Waverley Park as his destination of choice, Sam Mitchell’s list continues to strengthen. Petracca’s outlines are very specific, but Hawthorn fits the bill for his services. It is certainly on a trajectory towards re-establishing its status as a big club that plays in front of packed crowds at the home of football, and their youthful exuberance is palpable. Additionally, the Hawks really need an inside midfielder. That is not to say that Will Day and James Worpel can’t do the job, but Petracca is that catalyst game-breaker to sync perfectly with those of a similar calibre in the forward line — think fresh All-Australian Dylan Moore and livewire Jack Ginnivan. For it to work in a trade sense, however, they probably need to relinquish any remaining interest in Bailey Smith and Harry Perryman, unless they can get really crafty from a salary cap perspective. A genuine Petracca pursuit will take a fair bit of shifting from a draft capital point of view. If the club’s list committee is willing to trade one or more future draft picks — and perhaps a player — there is a possibility that Petracca ends up in brown and gold. In terms of trade packages that could tempt Melbourne, Hawthorn arguably has the most enticing potential offer. Come with me on this: Hawthorn gives Pick 30, a future first-round pick and Mitch Lewis to Melbourne for Petracca. A healthy Lewis is precisely what the Demons need to partner with fellow emerging tall Jacob van Rooyen, and the currently-injured 25-year-old might be surplus to needs at Waverley. Mabior Chol and Calsher Dear have produced well above their pay grades this year, and while Lewis is still a blue-chipper, including one is what an appealing offer will take. Hawthorn’s first-rounder — No. 12 in the order — is in all likelihood heading to West Coast, leaving its second-rounder and future capital to play with in any potential negotiations. Considering the unpredictability of just about everything the Hawks have produced this year, who’s to say they wouldn’t be so ambitious?

THE OTHERS … (ST KILDA & ESSENDON)

Wouldn’t Petracca just fit in spectacularly at St Kilda? Seriously, talk about a perfect fit. This is a club in desperate need of a bona fide game-changer between the arcs — Petracca is that, as well as a forward-50 specialist. And from a Melbourne perspective, the Saints have the assets to tempt the Demons to agree on a selling price — St Kilda sits at No. 7, and it will likely also hold the No. 8 selection if Battle ultimately leaves Moorabbin. It also picks early in the second round; No. 24 (tied to Adelaide). If adding a third first-rounder was a necessity, throw in next year’s. Alternatively, if it were a player-centric deal — incredibly rare, we know — Max King would look terrific in the red and blue. Or, if King is completely off the table from a St Kilda point of view, would packaging a Cooper Sharman or Jack Hayes with a pair of first-rounders satiate the Dees? There are just so many win-win possibilities in a Melbourne-St Kilda marriage — especially for the starving Saints — but it simply won’t happen.

Then there are the Bombers. They don’t currently fit the criteria of a powerhouse club given their inability to win a final in a 20-year span, but historically, their rich history can’t be disputed. Essendon has a number of key forwards that could pique Melbourne’s interest at the trade table — namely the seasoned trio of Kyle Langford, Peter Wright and interestingly, Jake Stringer. If the Demons wanted to try and poach goalkicking youth from Tullamarine, it would be in the form of Nate Caddy or Harrison Jones — although both players have been heavily invested in by the club during their short careers. This year’s pick 8, a future first or second-rounder and one of the aforementioned tall forwards – is that enough to bring Essendon to the table? Maybe…