‘Telling' image emerges of Tony Petracca celebrating with Simon Goodwin after Christian Petracca's milestone game

7NEWS

26-05-2025

Christian Petracca's relationship with Melbourne appears stronger than ever after the superstar celebrated his 200-game milestone with a big win over Sydney.
The Demons continued their recent form resurgence with a comprehensive 53-point victory over the Swans.
Petracca was among his side's best with 28 touches and one goal, while Kysaiah Pickett put on a show with a brilliant five-goal performance.
In the build-up to his 200th game, the Melbourne superstar fought back tears last week when recounting last year's life-threatening injuries.
A lacerated spleen, punctured lung and cracked ribs suffered in the King's Birthday blockbuster against Collingwood hospitalised Petracca and ended his 2024 campaign early.
In the much-publicised fallout to the devastating injuries, Petracca's family were reportedly not happy with the Demons' handling of the situation.
Petracca was the subject of constant trade speculation, but ultimately stayed at the club and appears as committed as ever.
And judging by his dad Tony celebrating Sunday's win arm-in-arm with coach Simon Goodwin, the family's relationship with the club has also been repaired.
'After everything that's been said about Christian Petracca (& his family's) relationship with Melbourne over the last 12 months, this is telling. Dad Tony arm in arm with Simon Goodwin after Christian's 200th,' 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary tweeted.
Petracca was too busy celebrating with teammates to notice the moment, but nevertheless spoke of his love of the club.
'I didn't actually see it until you said it to me,' Petracca told 7NEWS.
'We're trying to build a family club culture, you saw in the huddle just the amount of kids we have.
'No doubt my parents are a big part of my journey and all the boys here, you see everyone here in the rooms it's all family and friends and that's what we're trying to create.
'I understand we get paid to do what we do, but at the same time we're trying to create that local footy club vibe where we can sit back, relax with our family and friends and enjoy the wins.'
The victory was Melbourne's fifth win from their past six matches and has them back in the finals mix after 0-5 start to the season.
'I feel like we've been building, it's easy to say now after we're in some good form. When we were 0-5, I still felt like we were playing some good footy, but it just wasn't clicking, defensively we were a bit off,' Petracca said.
'I think the last five or six week just brought belief back into the footy club, just the confidence we know we can all play with.
'Everyone is just playing that little bit better. It's a team sport and everyone needs to bring their A game and I think we're doing an incredible job of that.'
It's no coincidence, the Demons' resurgence has come with Pickett firing on all cylinders.
The brilliant forward has now kicked 16 goals from the past six matches.
Despite being contracted until the end of 2027, there remains speculation the 23-year-old could seek a trade back home to Western Australia.
Petracca understands the pull of family, but hopes his mate will stay at the club.
'He's just an amazing player, he's a special player,' Petracca said.
'Family is so important to him and I understand that completely but we're doing everything we can for Kozzy.
'He was a housemate of mine a couple of years ago with Toby Bedford and Charlie Spargo.
'I'm really close with him, we speak constantly but what he does is just so special. What he does for the fans, the way he erupts the fans, it's really special.