Christian Petracca defends decision to miss Melbourne best and fairest to attend Austria training camp
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There's been a fresh twist in the Christian Petracca saga, with Melbourne confirming the midfielder will not attend their best and fairest night.
Petracca will instead be over in Austria, attending a Red Bull training camp in a move approved by the club.
It adds to a long list of questionable moves by both Petracca and the club, following his season-ending injuries suffered in round 13.
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Just last week, Caroline Wilson declared that Petracca's family may never forgive the Demons, after the mismanagement of those very injuries.
Petracca underwent surgery at the time to repair four broken ribs, lacerations to the spleen and a punctured lung after an incident in the Demons' 38-point loss to the Pies in their Kings birthday clash.
Christian Petracca spotted at a round two AFLW match. via Getty Images
The 2021 premiership player also reportedly hinted at an interested in exploring trade options, but shut down suggestions in a statement, where he recommitted to the Demons.
Now, he has moved to defend the move, with the club's fitness team lauding his above and beyond efforts to make a full recovery from those internal injuries.
"It'll be awesome probably from a mental point of view, getting back to that confidence in myself and my body, ready to attack day one of pre-season," Petracca said on the Demons website on Wednesday.
"For me it's just been the most amazing experience, being able to use their facilities and have access to some of the best high performance people in the world.
"I want to be able to compete and get back out on the (MCG) in round one for the fans, and be really excited to run back out there."
Demons fitness boss Selwyn Griffith defended the move, explaining that the club will have access to Petracca's training plans while overseas.
Christian Petracca during round 9, 2024. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"This training camp is crucial for Christian, both from a performance and mental wellbeing perspective," Griffith said.
Petracca is expected back for Melbourne's first day of pre-season.
The Keith Bluey Truscott best and fairest will be held on Friday, October 4 in Melbourne.
