Wantaway Melbourne star Christian Petracca has reportedly chosen the Gold Coast Suns as his preferred destination, despite interest from Adelaide.
Petracca met with both Suns and Crows powerbrokers in the hope of a fresh start away from the Demons.
For the second successive off-season, the 2021 Norm Smith medallist assessed his options amid interest from a queue of rival clubs.
Christian Petracca has chosen the Gold Coast Suns.@FootyonNine @traderadio @1116sen
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) October 2, 2025
In a letter to club members earlier this week, Demons CEO Paul Guerra confirmed Petracca has “expressed his desire” to look elsewhere ahead of the trade period.
Melbourne will make a call on Petracca’s future with “the best interest” of the club in mind.
“No doubt many of you would have heard Christian Petracca’s name mentioned in recent days,” Guerra wrote.
“As a footy club, we couldn’t be more excited and confident in where our AFL program is headed. We know our future success will be built on people and players who are fully committed to where we are heading.
“We met with Christian late last week, where he expressed his desire to explore a fresh start in 2026.
“Christian is contracted for a further four years and is a once-in-a-generation player. With this in mind, any decision regarding Christian’s future will be made in the best interest of the Melbourne Football Club.”
Petracca is contracted until the end of 2029.
It comes as both Sam Flanders and Bailey Humphrey have been linked to the Demons, although the latter has been deemed untouchable by Gold Coast.
Flanders appears keen for a fresh start, and could reunite with Steven King at Melbourne, but is also weighing up moves to Essendon and St Kilda. Carlton has reportedly pulled out of the race.
The hunt for Bailey Humphrey is set to explode over the next fortnight.
Despite GC saying he’s not for sale and contracted until 2028… Collingwood, Carlton and Melbourne continue to pursue him hard.
They believe his head can be turned. @7AFL @7NewsMelbourne 👇 https://t.co/apJeGNZdKp
— Xander McGuire (@XanderMcGuire7) October 2, 2025
As for Humphrey, who is contracted until the end of 2028, it is understood that Collingwood, the Blues and the Demons are all interested parties.
The Suns are also into Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Charlie Curnow, albeit the latter’s links look all but dead given the trade capital needed for Petracca.
The trade period will open on Monday, and will run until Wednesday, October 15.
