Latest news with #ChristianPetracca
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Demons wasteful as Butler fires in Saints' upset win
Dan Butler has booted four goals in his first game of the AFL season to play a crucial role in St Kilda's 28-point upset of a woefully inaccurate Melbourne in Alice Springs. Butler, who has overcome an achilles concern, was the most prolific forward in the Saints' 14.7 (91) to 7.21 (63) victory at Traeger Park on Sunday. Ross Lyon's men banked just their second win in eight weeks, snapping a three-match losing streak and matching Melbourne with a 5-7 record. The Demons failed to put enough pressure on their opponents and kicked themselves out of the contest, scoring 1.12 to the Saints' 5.3 in the second half. Butler found the gap for his fourth!#AFLDeesSaints — AFL (@AFL) June 1, 2025 Butler nailed three first-half goals and St Kilda kicked six of the first seven to open up a 31-point lead before quarter-time, laying the groundwork for their victory. Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera (29 disposals), Jack Sinclair (25), Callum Wilkie (31) and captain Jack Steele (23) were all influential. Marcus Windhager (28 touches) and Zak Jones (20) also got busy while keeping tabs on Demons stars Kysaiah Pickett (12) and Clayton Oliver (16) respectively. Melbourne, who were always playing catch-up, were well-served by Christian Petracca (22 disposals) and Judd McVee (20), while Steven May (21) fought hard to repel the Saints' attacking raids. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera came from the ground following this incident.#AFLDeesSaints — AFL (@AFL) June 1, 2025 Isaac Keeler (three goals) was dangerous with two early majors for the Saints but their hot 6.2 to 2.2 first quarter was tempered by the loss of Mattaes Phillipou to a calf injury. The Saints were also without star playmaker Wanganeen-Milera for most of the second term after a high bump from Aidan Johnson. Johnson, a mature-age draftee, has already been suspended this season and faces further scrutiny for his latest indiscretion. He could have been facing a lengthy ban, but Wanganeen-Milera returned to the action after passing a concussion test. Oliver and Jones niggled each other at stoppages, as did Pickett and Windhager, in a fiery first half. Petracca stood up with two goals in the second term and the Demons cut the margin to 13 points, despite kicking a wasteful 4.7 to 3.2 for the quarter. Again the Dees failed to get bang for buck in the third term, winning the territory battle but failing to make it count on the scoreboard. Butler's fourth goal gave the Saints a 17-point buffer at the final change and it was enough to keep Melbourne at bay.
7NEWS
26-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
‘Telling' image emerges of Tony Petracca celebrating with Simon Goodwin after Christian Petracca's milestone game
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.
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Demons revival continues thumping Swans
AFL: The Melbourne Demons have celebrated their star midfielder Christian Petracca's 200th game in style, thrashing the Swans to continue the club's revival from a horrid start to the season.
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Emotional Petracca committed to the Dees
AFL: Melbourne Demons' Christian Petracca opens up about last year's life-threatening injuries prior to 200th AFL game.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Demon Petracca reaffirms AFL future ahead of milestone
Melbourne star Christian Petracca insists he has put the most turbulent period of his life behind him as he chases a second AFL premiership. In the build-up to his 200th game, Petracca fought back tears on Wednesday 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. The fallout from the significant setback and concerns over the Demons' handling of his injuries also led to "strong conversations" with the club and speculation Petracca wanted a fresh start elsewhere. There were fresh doubts over Petracca's playing future when the Norm Smith Medallist threw his mouthguard in frustration during Melbourne's 0-5 start to this season. But on Wednesday the 29-year-old lightheartedly attributed his emotional response to his Italian heritage, and was adamant he remains committed to the Demons. "I understand there's always going to be noise surrounding that, but internally I know, my teammates know, my coaches know and the club knows that I'm a Melbourne person through and through," Petracca said. "Last year was nothing more than wanting to make this football club better and see success. "We had strong conversations, but that's healthy. What strong high-performance environment isn't having them?" Petracca said he also challenged himself to improve as a leader over the off-season, adamant Melbourne have the tools to repeat their 2021 premiership success. "I wasn't pointing fingers or blaming people," he said. "It was about, 'As a collective, how can we get better?' "We have the list, we have the coaching staff, we have incredible fans and we play at the MCG. "For us, it's about being in it together and understanding what we can achieve." Petracca, who sat out his entire first season with Melbourne because of a knee injury, will play his 200th game when the Demons host Sydney at the MCG on Sunday. Reflecting on his journey so far, Petracca nominated the 2021 flag as his career highlight, and declared last year's injuries his toughest challenge. He briefly choked up when asked about that period, and paid tribute to his wife, Bella, and family for their support. Petracca also borrowed a line from UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovksi when he said "adversity is a privilege". "I look back at that time now with incredible perspective, as I said, silver lining," Petracca said. "I wouldn't have wanted to go through something like that, but life gave me that gift and I am really appreciative of being able to pull on the jumper every day now. "It's given me a feeling that I never would've had before the injury. I think I took footy for granted a little bit, and life. "It's definitely shifted my priorities of what's most important to me." Melbourne star Christian Petracca insists he has put the most turbulent period of his life behind him as he chases a second AFL premiership. In the build-up to his 200th game, Petracca fought back tears on Wednesday 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. The fallout from the significant setback and concerns over the Demons' handling of his injuries also led to "strong conversations" with the club and speculation Petracca wanted a fresh start elsewhere. There were fresh doubts over Petracca's playing future when the Norm Smith Medallist threw his mouthguard in frustration during Melbourne's 0-5 start to this season. But on Wednesday the 29-year-old lightheartedly attributed his emotional response to his Italian heritage, and was adamant he remains committed to the Demons. "I understand there's always going to be noise surrounding that, but internally I know, my teammates know, my coaches know and the club knows that I'm a Melbourne person through and through," Petracca said. "Last year was nothing more than wanting to make this football club better and see success. "We had strong conversations, but that's healthy. What strong high-performance environment isn't having them?" Petracca said he also challenged himself to improve as a leader over the off-season, adamant Melbourne have the tools to repeat their 2021 premiership success. "I wasn't pointing fingers or blaming people," he said. "It was about, 'As a collective, how can we get better?' "We have the list, we have the coaching staff, we have incredible fans and we play at the MCG. "For us, it's about being in it together and understanding what we can achieve." Petracca, who sat out his entire first season with Melbourne because of a knee injury, will play his 200th game when the Demons host Sydney at the MCG on Sunday. Reflecting on his journey so far, Petracca nominated the 2021 flag as his career highlight, and declared last year's injuries his toughest challenge. He briefly choked up when asked about that period, and paid tribute to his wife, Bella, and family for their support. Petracca also borrowed a line from UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovksi when he said "adversity is a privilege". "I look back at that time now with incredible perspective, as I said, silver lining," Petracca said. "I wouldn't have wanted to go through something like that, but life gave me that gift and I am really appreciative of being able to pull on the jumper every day now. "It's given me a feeling that I never would've had before the injury. I think I took footy for granted a little bit, and life. "It's definitely shifted my priorities of what's most important to me." Melbourne star Christian Petracca insists he has put the most turbulent period of his life behind him as he chases a second AFL premiership. In the build-up to his 200th game, Petracca fought back tears on Wednesday 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. The fallout from the significant setback and concerns over the Demons' handling of his injuries also led to "strong conversations" with the club and speculation Petracca wanted a fresh start elsewhere. There were fresh doubts over Petracca's playing future when the Norm Smith Medallist threw his mouthguard in frustration during Melbourne's 0-5 start to this season. But on Wednesday the 29-year-old lightheartedly attributed his emotional response to his Italian heritage, and was adamant he remains committed to the Demons. "I understand there's always going to be noise surrounding that, but internally I know, my teammates know, my coaches know and the club knows that I'm a Melbourne person through and through," Petracca said. "Last year was nothing more than wanting to make this football club better and see success. "We had strong conversations, but that's healthy. What strong high-performance environment isn't having them?" Petracca said he also challenged himself to improve as a leader over the off-season, adamant Melbourne have the tools to repeat their 2021 premiership success. "I wasn't pointing fingers or blaming people," he said. "It was about, 'As a collective, how can we get better?' "We have the list, we have the coaching staff, we have incredible fans and we play at the MCG. "For us, it's about being in it together and understanding what we can achieve." Petracca, who sat out his entire first season with Melbourne because of a knee injury, will play his 200th game when the Demons host Sydney at the MCG on Sunday. Reflecting on his journey so far, Petracca nominated the 2021 flag as his career highlight, and declared last year's injuries his toughest challenge. He briefly choked up when asked about that period, and paid tribute to his wife, Bella, and family for their support. Petracca also borrowed a line from UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovksi when he said "adversity is a privilege". "I look back at that time now with incredible perspective, as I said, silver lining," Petracca said. "I wouldn't have wanted to go through something like that, but life gave me that gift and I am really appreciative of being able to pull on the jumper every day now. "It's given me a feeling that I never would've had before the injury. I think I took footy for granted a little bit, and life. "It's definitely shifted my priorities of what's most important to me."
