Matthew Lloyd condemns Christian Petracca's 'lack of awareness' in missing Dees best and fairest
Matthew Lloyd has labelled Christian Petracca's decision to skip Melbourne's best and fairest in favour of attending a Red Bull training camp in Austria as "selfish".
It adds to a long list of questionable moves by both Petracca and the club, following his season-ending injuries suffered in round 13.
Just last week, Caroline Wilson declared that Petracca's family may never forgive the Demons after the mismanagement of those injuries.
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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.
The 2021 premiership player also reportedly hinted at an interest in exploring trade options, but shut that down in a statement where he recommitted to the Demons.
Christian Petracca spotted at a round two AFLW match. via Getty Images
Tensions continue to bubble at the club, which saw president Kate Roffey abruptly exit her role after an awkward interview on SEN radio, declaring she had not spoken to a "disgruntled" Petracca.
Now, Lloyd has questioned Petracca's priorities and how it looks to members, teammates and the broader AFL world.
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"With what he's been through, where he's been seen as selfish a lot through this, I think it's a real lack of awareness," Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
"He gets paid his money to represent Melbourne. It's one of their major functions for the year."
Lloyd fears it could rattle the Demons playing group, who may view the act as a double standard.
"Imagine the next player turns up and says, 'hey, something's popped up for me, are you right if I miss the best and fairest?'. And the next bloke," he said.
"That's why you have problems in a club, when there's rules for some and rules for others."
Damien Barrett echoed Lloyd's concerns.
Petracca was helped off in agony in round 13. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"He could leave a day later. He could leave on October 5," he 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.
