Christian Petracca

Christian Petracca

Petracca at training in July 2015
Personal information
Full name Christian Petracca
Date of birth (1996-01-04) 4 January 1996
Original team(s) Eastern Ranges (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 2, 2014 national draft
Debut Round 6, 2016, Melbourne
vs. St Kilda, at Etihad Stadium
Height / weight 186 cm / 94 kg
Position(s) Midfielder / forward
Club information
Current club Melbourne
Number 5
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2015– Melbourne 17 (12)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2016.
Career highlights

Christian Petracca (born 4 January 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A midfielder, 1.86 metres (6.1 ft) tall and weighing 94 kilograms (207 lb), Petracca has the ability to play dual-positions as a forward and a midfielder both on the inside and outside. He had a standout junior basketball career where he played in the Victorian under 16 side and he was named in the Australian under 18 squad. He entered top-level football early when he played for Victoria at under 12 level and he represented them throughout his junior career, culminating in selection for Victoria Metro in the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships. In addition, he joined the TAC Cup competition as a bottom-aged player. His achievements as a junior included winning the Larke Medal, the most valuable player at state level, and selection in the All-Australian and TAC Cup Team of the Year sides. He was recruited by Melbourne with the second selection in the 2014 AFL draft and he made his AFL debut in 2016, resulting in an AFL Rising Star nomination.

Early life

Petracca was recognised as an adept footballer at a young age by representing Victoria at under-12 level.[1] He played his junior football with the Park Orchards Football Club, Warrandyte Football Club and Beverley Hills Football Club.[1] Apart from football, he was talented at most sports he played including cricket, soccer, and tennis, but especially basketball.[1] His leadership was recognised at a young age when he was named co-captain of the Victorian Primary Schools (VPS) basketball side.[2] He featured in the under-16 Victorian basketball side[3] and he was selected in the Australian under-17 squad alongside 2014 NBA number-five draft pick and Utah Jazz player, Dante Exum.[4] Basketball was his best sport as a junior, however, he decided to pursue a football career instead at sixteen years of age to stay in Australia and be closer to friends and family.[1]

Petracca attended Whitefriars College, completing year 12 in 2013 and he was named as the captain of their football side in the same year.[5] He was a bottom-aged player with the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup during 2013 playing as a forward and he finished with 41 goals from 17 matches,[6] including six against the Geelong Falcons in round nine[7] and five in the preliminary final, also against the Geelong Falcons.[8] He was named as one of the best players in the 92-point grand final victory against the Dandenong Stingrays, finishing with two goals and twenty-one disposals[9] and ended the season as the Eastern Ranges leading goalkicker[5] whilst also tying for second place in the best and fairest count.[10] He received mid-year honours through selection as a bottom-aged player for Vic Metro in the 2013 AFL Under 18 Championships, and played in one match, the opening round match against Queensland where he was named as one of the best players.[11] He also played for and captained the Victoria GAA minor (under 18) gaelic football side at the 2013 Australasian Gaelic Football in which he garnered player of the tournament honours.[12]

After graduating high school in 2013, Petracca attended Swinburne University during 2014, studying commerce and marketing.[13] He was awarded a scholarship within the AIS-AFL Academy, which saw him begin his draft year participating in the AIS-AFL Academy match against Collingwood's Victorian Football League (VFL) side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in April, followed by a two-week tour to Europe.[14] After declaring he wanted to be captain of the Eastern Ranges for 2014,[1] he was instead named vice-captain[15] due to his commitments with the AIS-AFL Academy.[13] He played nine matches for the season finishing with 20 goals,[6] he ended the season with a tied third-place finish in the Morrish Medal[16] and he was named on the half-forward flank in the TAC Cup team of the year.[17] He was again selected for Vic Metro in the Under 18 Championships playing a midfield, on-ball role.[18] He played five out of six matches and he was named in the best players in every match,[19][20][21][22][23] where he averaged twenty-five disposals, five marks and five clearances per match.[24] His performances in the championships saw him rewarded with the Larke Medal as the championships best player,[25] the best and fairest player for Vic Metro where he finished fourteen votes ahead of Ed Vickers-Willis,[26] and he was named in the All-Australian team as the centre midfield position.[27]

After Petracca's strong performances in the championships, it was predicted he would be drafted inside the top-five in the 2014 national draft,[28][29] however, by the end of the TAC Cup season his draft chances were elevated to him becoming the number one draft pick.[30][31][32][33] His move into the midfield during 2014 proved he had the ability to play in both the forward-line and midfield,[34] along with an increase in his endurance,[35] this saw him described as the "most dominant player in the draft" by AFL Media journalist, Callum Twomey.[36] His dual position capabilities saw him draw comparisons to Richmond player, Dustin Martin, and Port Adelaide midfielder, Ollie Wines,[37][38][39] which led an AFL recruiter to rate him as a "star" and note that he has a "unique skill-set for an 18-year-old. He mixes power, speed, leap and marking. He’s a mid-forward, he’ll be an impact player used in short spells onball, [and] he’s a unique talent."[40]

AFL career

Despite speculation Petracca would be the number one draft pick in the months leading to the 2014 national draft,[41][42][43][44] he was ultimately drafted by the Melbourne Football Club with their first selection and second overall;[45] the eventual number one draft pick, Paddy McCartin, was drafted to the St Kilda Football Club as a long-term replacement for Nick Riewoldt.[46][47] He was predicted to play in the opening round of 2015 due to having an "AFL ready body",[48] however, his season ended abruptly after rupturing his ACL in his left knee at training in February.[49] In May, he signed a two-year contract extension to the end of 2018.[50]

He's genuinely going to be a star of the competition going forward.

Jonathan Brown, former Brisbane Lions captain[51]

After missing the entire 2015 season, speculation surrounded Petracca and when he would play his debut match,[52][53] however, a basketball mishap saw him break his toe during the Christmas break.[54][55] Early reports stated he could still make his debut in round one,[56][57] but, Melbourne coach, Paul Roos, quashed the reports by stating the mishap had cost Petracca a round one debut.[58][59] Following the recovery from his broken toe, he played in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for Melbourne's affiliate team, the Casey Scorpions.[60][61][62] As he spent more time in the VFL, speculation grew as to when he would make his AFL debut,[63][64][65][66] along with AFL Media journalist, Callum Twomey, noting the footy world was "fascinated" with Petracca and his potential debut.[67] He ultimately made his debut in round six against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium[68] in a 39-point loss;[69] there was strong hype surrounding his debut, however, his performance in his debut was labelled as a glimpse of his potential.[70][71] In his second match he kicked his first AFL goal, finishing with two for the match; his second goal, in which he broke away from his opponent and tapped the ball to himself from the ground, saw former Brisbane Lions forward, Jonathan Brown praise his skill by stating "jeez...it's a simple game when you make it look that easy."[72] In his fourth match, he recorded twenty-one disposals, eleven score involvements and seven tackles in the sixty-thee point win against the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground,[73] which saw him rewarded with the round nine nomination for the Rising Star.[74] The match drew high praise from the head of football writer at the Herald Sun, Mark Robinson[75] while teammate, Jack Watts labelled him an "absolute beast".[76] After a handful of matches, he became the favourite to win the Rising Star[77] and Australian Football Hall of Fame members Matthew Lloyd claimed his ability would bring fans through the gates, and Wayne Carey compared him to Norm Smith Medallist and three-time premiership player, Steve Johnson.[78] Fox Sports Australia journalist, Ben Waterworth made further comparisons to Steve Johnson, while also declaring Petracca edged Johnson with his overhead marking ability, with former St Kilda captain, Danny Frawley reiterating during the Queen's Birthday clash, "every time he goes near the ball, you sense he's going to mark the ball because he's got a beautiful pair of hands."[79] He played every match following his debut, and finished the season with seventeen in total.[80] After tailing off in the second half of the season, he finished sixth in the Rising Star[81] and he finished twelfth in Melbourne's best and fairest count.[82] He was, however, recognised as one of the best young players in the league when he was named in the 22under22 team on the half-forward flank.[83]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2016 season[80]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team # Games G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
Totals Averages (per game)
2015 Melbourne 26 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2016 Melbourne 5 17 12 11 144 152 296 42 56 0.7 0.7 8.5 8.9 17.4 2.5 3.3
Career 17 12 11 144 152 296 42 56 0.7 0.7 8.5 8.9 17.4 2.5 3.3

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Twomey, Callum (20 October 2014). "Going Places: When draft young gun Christian Petracca said yes to footy and no to an NBA dream". afl.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Ward, Roy (19 June 2016). "Ben Simmons could have been an AFL superstar says friend Christian Petracca". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  3. ↑ Ward, Roy (9 September 2013). "Ranges stars set to feature in final". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Australian Under 18 Championships & U16 team announced". Fox Sports Pulse. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  5. 1 2 "AIS Adds Ranges' Petracca". EFL.org.au. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Christian Petracca – Player Profile". TACcup.com.au. Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Ryan, Conor (18 June 2013). "Eastern Ranges thump ladder-leaders Geelong Falcons by 108 points in TAC Cup". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Diamond, Brent (15 September 2013). "Boyd may return for Ranges". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Twomey, Callum (22 September 2013). "Likely No.1 pick Boyd fires as Eastern Ranges win TAC Cup flag". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  10. ↑ Ryan, Conor (23 October 2013). "Eastern Ranges captain Ben Cavarra wins second consecutive Pennington Medal". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  11. ↑ Collins, Ben (26 May 2013). "U18s: Cavarra runs riot for under-strength Metro". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  12. ↑ Twomey, Callum (23 October 2014). "Going places, part four: Recruiters circle as Christian 'Truck' Petracca hits a wall". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  13. 1 2 Twomey, Callum (21 October 2014). "Going Places: Christian Petracca the joker gets a clip and knuckles down". afl.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  14. ↑ Twomey, Callum (2 April 2014). "Top 2014 draft prospects to show their wares at the MCG". afl.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "Eastern Region Coaches Association Newsletter" (PDF). ERCA. AFL Victoria. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  16. ↑ Hustwaite, Megan (8 September 2014). "Oakleigh Chargers' Toby McLean climbs from obscurity to second in the TAC Cup's Morrish Medal". Waverley Leader. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  17. ↑ "2014 TAC Cup Team of the Year". TACcup.com.au. Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  18. ↑ Twomey, Callum (14 May 2014). "The 20 players to watch at the NAB AFL U18 Champs". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  19. ↑ King, Travis (31 May 2014). "Top Vic Metro draft prospect runs amok in huge win over WA". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  20. ↑ Twomey, Callum (8 June 2014). "Vic Country too good for Metro counterparts". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  21. ↑ Twomey, Callum (14 June 2014). "Plenty of the Wright stuff in Vic Metro win". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  22. ↑ Di Giorgio, Giulio (27 June 2014). "Darcy Moore stars as Vic Metro thumps Western Australia". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  23. ↑ Di Giorgio, Giulio (3 July 2014). "South Australia wins back-to-back U18 championships". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  24. ↑ Sheehan, Kevin; Ablett, Michael. "2014 NAB AFL U18 All Australian Team" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  25. ↑ Ryan, Conor (7 July 2014). "Eastern Ranges' Christian Petracca wins Larke Medal as the best player in the AFL under-18 national championships". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "Legendairy Academy award winners announce". TACcup.com.au. Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  27. ↑ Twomey, Callum (4 July 2014). "Metro dominates 2014 Under-18 All Australian team". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  28. ↑ Anderson, Jon (12 July 2014). "The No.1 draft pick is heralded as the next coming but sometimes it can be a curse". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  29. ↑ Twomey, Callum (28 July 2014). "Huge rise in draft combine invitees from Queensland and NSW/ACT". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  30. ↑ Twomey, Callum (15 August 2014). "Phantom draft form guide: August update". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  31. ↑ Ryan, Conor (28 August 2014). "Eastern Ranges' TAC Cup season of missed opportunities could brighten with Christian Petracca a big chance to go No.1 in the AFL Draft". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  32. ↑ Quayle, Emma (4 October 2014). "Christian Petracca has nose in front in open race for No.1 draft pick". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  33. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (12 October 2014). "AFL clubs lining up to secure no. 1 draft pick for explosive midfielder Christian Petracca". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  34. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (15 October 2014). "St Kilda set to knock back offers for pick 1 with Christian Petracca high on Saints' draft agenda". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  35. ↑ Twomey, Callum (14 October 2014). "Phantom draft form guide: November update". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  36. ↑ Twomey, Callum (7 October 2014). "Phantom form guide: October update". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  37. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (20 November 2014). "AFL Draft Pick Me: Christian Petracca has AFL-ready body and is set to be the No.1 draft pick". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  38. ↑ Twomey, Callum (24 November 2014). "Three days to the draft: Meet Christian Petracca". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  39. ↑ Whiting, Michael (26 November 2014). "Petracca like Dusty but tracking Wines". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  40. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (16 October 2014). "Christian Petracca set to join St Kilda with No.1 draft pick". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  41. ↑ Phelan, Jennifer (26 November 2014). "No flip-flop on No.1 draft pick, say Saints". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  42. ↑ Gleeson, Michael (26 November 2014). "McCartin or Petracca: St Kilda spoilt for choice". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  43. ↑ Ralph, Jon (27 November 2014). "Melbourne win big, snare AFL Draft dream team Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  44. ↑ Browne, Ashley (28 November 2014). "The joy of six". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  45. ↑ Ryan, Peter (27 November 2014). "Demons 'splitting hairs' over dynamic duo Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  46. ↑ Gleeson, Michael (27 November 2014). "AFL Draft 2014: St Kilda takes Paddy McCartin at number one". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  47. ↑ Quayle, Emma (27 November 2014). "Tall forward Paddy McCartin is the missing puzzle piece for St Kilda". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  48. ↑ Anderson, Jon (29 November 2014). "Melbourne hopes November 27 will always be remembered but for more positive reasons". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  49. ↑ Guthrie, Ben (16 February 2015). "Prized Demon draftee Christian Petracca to miss 2015 season after knee injury". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  50. ↑ Clark, Jay (23 May 2015). "Christian Petracca will remain at Melbourne until at least the end of 2018 after signing new deal". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  51. ↑ "Season review: Christian Petracca". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  52. ↑ Wood, Lauren (18 December 2015). "Melbourne in no hurry to hand Christian Petracca his AFL debut in 2016". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  53. ↑ Burgan, Matt (23 November 2015). "Keep an eye on Petracca in 2016". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  54. ↑ Higgins, Ben (5 January 2016). "Christian Petracca dealt another injury blow after breaking toe over Christmas". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  55. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (19 June 2016). "Christian Petracca reveals how he broke his toe in basketball mishap". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  56. ↑ Baldwin, Adam (21 January 2016). "Christian Petracca injury: Melbourne Demons youngster could still make early season debut". Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  57. ↑ Williams, Rebecca (5 January 2016). "Melbourne's Christian Petracca likely to feature in NAB Challenge as he steps up broken toe recovery". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  58. ↑ Ralph, Jon (20 March 2016). "Paul Roos reveals fury at Christian Petracca's basketball mishap". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  59. ↑ Whiting, Michael (20 March 2016). "Angry Demons make sure Petracca learns lesson after basketball injury". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  60. ↑ Guthrie, Ben (25 March 2016). "Trengove dares to dream as Petracca shows he's a game-breaker". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  61. ↑ Cherny, Daniel (25 March 2016). "AFL season 2016: Jack Trengove and Christian Petracca move closer to AFL action". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  62. ↑ Harrington, Anna (2 April 2016). "Great to be back: Petracca". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  63. ↑ Gleeson, Michael (6 April 2016). "AFL season 2016: Christian Petracca dominates in VFL, nears Melbourne debut". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  64. ↑ Diamond, Brent (8 April 2016). "AFL 2016: Melbourne to be patient with Jack Trengove, Christian Petracca". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  65. ↑ Edwards, Nat (14 April 2016). "Petracca still not ready for AFL action: Roos". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  66. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (18 April 2016). "Christian Petracca one more week away from AFL debut". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  67. ↑ Twomey, Callum (30 April 2016). "Why is the footy world fascinated by Petracca?". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  68. ↑ Higgins, Ben (27 April 2016). "Christian Petracca is set to debut for Melbourne after injury-plagued start to career". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  69. ↑ Burgan, Matt (30 April 2016). "Petracca's debut a bittersweet day". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  70. ↑ Clark, Jay (30 April 2016). "Christian Petracca showed some good signs in his AFL debut on a tough day against St Kilda". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  71. ↑ Baldwin, Adam (30 April 2016). "Christian Petracca has a 'nearly' day on debut for Melbourne in big defeat to St Kilda". Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  72. ↑ "Video: Christian Petracca kicks the first two goals of his Melbourne career against Gold Coast". Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  73. ↑ Guthrie, Ben (23 May 2016). "Petracca makes three: Another Rising Star nod for Demons". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  74. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (23 May 2016). "Christian Petracca earns AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 9". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  75. ↑ Robinson, Mark (22 May 2016). "The Tackle: Heath Shaw, Collingwood and Christian Petracca among the highlights from Round 9". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  76. ↑ Olle, Sarah (22 May 2016). "Melbourne Demon Jack Watts describes teammate Christian Petracca as 'an absolute beast'". Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  77. ↑ Vernuccio, Chris (2 June 2016). "Christian Petracca is favourite to win Rising Star and history is on his side". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  78. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (18 June 2016). "Young Demon Christian Petracca wasting no time making a name for himself on the big stage". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  79. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (13 June 2016). "Christian Petracca has the swagger and skill to match another big game perfomer in Steve Johnson". Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  80. 1 2 "Christian Petracca". AFL Tables. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  81. ↑ Navaratnam, Dinny (2 October 2016). "Swans defender Mills wins Rising Star". AFL.com.au. Bigpond.
  82. ↑ Burgan, Matt (6 September 2016). "Viney edges Jones to win first 'Bluey'". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  83. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (13 September 2016). "22under22 team revealed: Marcus Bontempelli named captain, Caleb Daniel misses out". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2016.

External links

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