CHRISTIAN Petracca will make his AFL debut against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The 20-year-old found out on Wednesday afternoon from coach Paul Roos that he would become the sixth player to play their first game for Melbourne this year – and the fourth to make their AFL debut in the red and blue in 2016.
Petracca will also become the 1327th player to play a VFL/AFL match for Melbourne since 1897.
The midfielder/forward, who was the second player selected in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, said it was “a pretty special moment” when Roos told him the news.
“I never thought the day would come to be honest,” he told Melbourne TV.
Paul Roos tells Christian Petracca he will debut this week against St Kilda. (Photo:Matthew Goodrope/Melbourne Football Club)
“He (Roos) didn’t really tell me I was playing. He told me there was no spot for me in the team and we were playing good footy, which is true to be honest.
“Then he told me that I was playing and I can’t really describe it to be honest – it’s all a bit of a blur.”
Petracca said he was going through his VFL review, when he got the call-up to Roos’ office.
“He (Roos) said ‘Christian, can you just come into my office, I need to speak to you’. All from there, it went pretty well,” he said.
“He said ‘there is no spot for you at the moment, as we’re playing good footy’. Then he said ‘[I] know it’s frustrating, because you’ve worked really hard to get into this position and you’ve had a lot of setbacks, but we’re thrilled to have you’.”
Petracca said the notion that he had badgered Roos copious amounts of times to play was an exaggeration.
“He (Roos) reckons I’ve text him 40 times a day, which is not true. I’ve probably text Goody (Simon Goodwin) 40 times a day. It’s just me trying to get into the team to be honest,” he said with a smile.
“It’s been pretty frustrating, but it’s been a test of my patience and it’s been a good thing to be honest.
“It’s built me some good form in the VFL and I’ve got my fitness better, and I’ve got confidence in my knee and my legs, so I’m really, really pumped for the weekend.”
After missing his first season with a knee injury and suffering a foot injury during the recent Christmas/New Year period, Petracca said he “definitely” felt ready to play.
“I feel really good and I’m not going out there to try and dominate. I just want to try and play my role and get the win against St Kilda,” he said.
“It’ll be a great team win if we get it.”
Jack Viney congratualters Christian Petracca moments after finding out the good news. (Photo:Matthew Goodrope/Melbourne Football Club)
Jack Viney congratualters Christian Petracca moments after finding out the good news. (Photo:Matthew Goodrope/Melbourne Football Club)
Petracca said it had been “really frustrating” missing the 2015 season, but he believed he came out of it a better person.
“Being a young kid and having to sit out for the whole year [last season] wasn’t great. I’m not a patient kid and some think I’m pretty crazy and have a bit of ADHD,” he said with a laugh.
“It’s really tested myself out and I feel as though the 12 months I had out with my knee, I’ve become a really better person, and a lot more humble and more grateful to be in this position.
“It basically tells me that I can’t just get through on talent and a lot of hard work’s required. I’m willing to work hard and I have been with my foot as well –it wasn’t a great decision by me. I’ve definitely learned my lesson from there and I’m just willing to repay the club.”
As for how he thinks he’ll feel on the morning of the game, Petracca said he’ll approach it exactly the same.
“I’ll try and treat it like any other footy game I’ve played. I’ll just take my time and be real calm and go through the superstitions that I have,” he said.
“It’s going to be the biggest game of footy [I’ve played] – bigger than any Grand Final I’ve been in, so it’ll be real exciting.
“I can’t wait to get out there and get a first tackle and really play to be honest. I’m really lost for words at the moment – I’m just so excited.”
