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Trade talk: Is Petracca the big fish the Hawks should focus on?
Andrew Slevison • August 27th, 2025 12:30 pm
If Christian Petracca wants to play in another premiership, should he look at leaving Melbourne?
That is the scenario Tom Morris and Adam Cooney discussed on Wednesday morning on the back of Petracca’s 2025 exit meeting.
According to Morris, no trade possibility was discussed between Petracca and the Demons, but there does remain some sort of chance he could seek greener pastures.
At this stage it’s all hypothetical but the idea of a move to Hawthorn was floated given the Hawks are keen on luring a big-name midfielder.
With Harley Reid committing to West Coast until 2028, and Zak Butters unlikely to leave Port Adelaide this year, it leaves few big fish for the Hawks to prey on.
Petracca, contacted until 2029, reportedly wanted out at the Demons last year. With some uncertainty ahead as the club looks for a coach to replace Simon Goodwin, there could be a trade opportunity for a willing suitor.
“Christian Petracca had his exit meeting two days ago on Monday and there was no trade discussed,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“I still think that Petracca will be at Melbourne next year, but the language out of the Demons isn't as resolute as what it was last year.
“Last year it was, ‘He’s not going anywhere, he's staying’.
“This year it is, ‘We hope he stays’, and I think a lot of it depends on the coach they get in as well.
“The thing is with Harley Reid now out of the equation for Hawthorn, they're going to be looking for a big fish midfielder from somewhere.
“I don't think they're going to be able to get Zak Butters this year. I think that's more in 12 months' time.
“I don't think they're going to be able to get Zach Merrett, Essendon just wouldn't allow that.
“So I'm looking at Christian Petracca and I wonder if Hawthorn can make a play for him, and what they would have to give up to bring him in.
“Would a first-round pick do it? Would they have to give up more? And how much money would they pay with that contract as well, which is pretty lucrative.”
Cooney firmly believes that the Dees should have parted ways with either Petracca or Clayton Oliver last trade period.
Now 12 months on, is it time to make a shock move in a bid to fast-track a rebuild?
“Hindsight's a wonderful thing,” said Cooney.
“The Demons should have pulled the trigger with one or two of their established stars last year.
“Some thought they may bounce. Most were of the opinion that they weren't going to make the eight. They missed an opportunity to maybe reset that club 12 months ago.
“So he’s less valuable than he was a year ago, obviously being 12 months older.”
The conversation then drifted to what is best for 29-year-old Petracca going forward.
Morris asked: “Do you think it's best for Christian Petracca to go or stay for his career?”
Cooney is adamant that if the four-time All-Australian and two-time best and fairest wants to add to his 2021 premiership medal then it might be best to move on from the Dees.
“I think it'd be best if he wants to win another premiership in the next three years to go to Hawthorn, who are ahead of the flag race over Melbourne,” he added.
“The Demons are going to take a couple of years in terms of resetting with a new coach, and they're going to have to make some big decisions with some of their stars to get them back up the ladder.
“So I think it'd be best for Petracca, if he wants to play in another flag in the next couple of years, to go.
“It also might reignite the passion. A lot of stuff went on with him and the club.
“So falling back in love and and getting the passion back there and all those sorts of things with disgruntlement and anger. Maybe it is best to cut ties and and the Dees can go in a different direction.”
Morris concluded: “The thing is he's not going to put his head above water like he did last year.
“It won't be driven by Melbourne, it has to be driven by the club that wants Petracca to bring him in, and as soon as the club that wants to bring him in drives that, then they lose some bargaining power.
“So it's a very delicate one from a PR perspective.”
