Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Christian Petracca’s future at Gold Coast is uncertain after just one year at the club.
Rival clubs have confirmed to 7NEWS sports reporter Xander McGuire that Petracca could be prised out of the Suns if the deal is right.
“With reports emerging today that there is discontent between Christian Petracca and the Suns, three independent clubs have told 7NEWS that they believe there is an openness between Gold Coast and Petracca to explore other options going forward,” McGuire said.
“Petracca’s public view is that he is happy with life up north, while senior Suns haven’t responded to the claims which were put to them today by 7NEWS after being disappointed with his output late in the year.”
Petracca, 30, started the year in blistering nick after his sensational move from Melbourne at the end of last season.
However, his form started to taper, as did the the team’s, amid reports of tensions between the players and the coaching staff.
At one point, after the Round 23 loss to Brisbane where Petracca looked a shadow of himself and finished the match with just 12 possessions, Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick addressed his star recruit’s form slump.
“He’s had a bit of a downturn in form,” Hardwick said.
“I’ve got to find how I can best use him, and it’s up to me to figure it out.
“We’ve had some really good conversations, he will do whatever I want for the benefit of the team.
“His legacy to me is to help us change the fortunes of the Gold Coast Suns, and he’s pulling his part in that.
“I think I’ve got to get better at utilising him to his absolute strengths. I haven’t found that right lever yet. We had it at the start of the year, but it’s drifted off a bit.”
Gold Coast forked out a small fortune to acquire the 2021 Norm Smith medallist, giving Melbourne picks 7, 8 and 37 for the 2025 draft, a future first-round selection for this year, and a 2027 third-round selection.
In return, Gold Coast received Petracca, two picks in the 20s (24 and 28) and a second-round selection for this year’s draft.
“Petracca has at least three years left on his contract, which makes a move harder but not impossible (for him to depart),” McGuire said.
There were high hopes for the Suns this year after they played in their maiden finals series in 2025, which also saw them winning their first final.
After torching Geelong in the Opening Round, they shot to the top of the ladder, and were being touted as one of the early flag contenders.
But the wheels fell off in the middle of the season, they suffered a 12-game losing streak, and slowly slumped to 13th on the ladder.
While Petracca’s destiny hangs in the balance, key forward Ben King is widely expected to be at Hawthorn next season.
Petracca will turn 31 at the start of next year.
