Trac twist: Demons gun open to interstate move; Don set for NSW after medical — Trade Whispers

The talks around Christian Petracca leaving Melbourne have accelerated with the Norm Smith medallist willing to consider more clubs as a future home.

Plus an Essendon defender is set to leave for an interstate club this off-season.

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TRAC TWIST: DEMONS GUN OPEN TO INTERSTATE MOVE

Melbourne star Christian Petracca has opened up his options and would consider a trade interstate to continue his AFL career, as talks heat up over the four-time All-Australian’s exit.

The 29-year-old was keen on an exit last year but the Demons could not and would not trade him to his desired home of a big Victorian club.

That was especially hard given his lucrative contract which runs until the end of 2029, a deal peaking at $1.7 million a year and not falling below $1.2 million.

A year later and things have changed, according to Nine’s Tom Morris, with Petracca now willing to join a contending club like Adelaide, Gold Coast or Sydney.

“Christian Petracca had his eyes last year firmly fixed on big Victorian clubs – Carlton, Collingwood and the like. This year it’s different,” Morris said on Nine News.

“Though Hawthorn was his preference before the Zach Merrett situation unfolded, he is open to non-Victorian clubs. I’m talking about Adelaide, Gold Coast and Sydney.

“And Melbourne unlike last year is open to the right deal, even though they won’t declare that publicly.

“Petracca doesn’t want to be seen as banging the table (for an exit) and the Demons at every opportunity have stopped short of guaranteeing their Norm Smith medallist will be at the club in 2026.”

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph said Petracca wasn’t as desperate to leave as he was last year.

“But he’s open to a fresh start,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“His teammates don’t believe he’s checked out but they’re not sure he’s 100% invested.”

New Demons coach Steven King said on Monday both Petracca and Clayton Oliver were part of his plans, though he did not categorically say they would be kept to their contracts.

“Absolutely, they are both superstars of the competition for what they’ve done,” King said.

“To get the opportunity to work with those guys and get them back to playing their best footy is something I would provide myself on as a coach.”

BOMBERS BACKMAN CLOSE TO GIANT MOVE

Essendon veteran Jayden Laverde looks set to join GWS after completing a medical at the Sydney club.

News Corp reports the 29-year-old will team up with ex-teammate Jake Stringer in orange next year as the Giants’ choice for key defensive depth.

He is likely to earn a rookie spot, potentially through the pre-season supplemental period, according to Jay Clark.

Laverde has played 145 AFL games since his 2015 debut, with 99 of those coming over the last half-decade including the last 14 games of the 2025 season.

He will join Sam Draper – who is set to sign with Brisbane – in exiting the club this trade period.

Jordan Ridley also wants to join the Lions while Zach Merrett is keen on a move to Hawthorn, though the Bombers have pledged to hold the latter two to their contracts.