THERE is one main motivating factor for Christian Petracca in 2021: the Melbourne faithful.

It’s no secret the loyal Dees supporters have been deprived of success in recent decades, but the club’s star midfielder and reigning Best and Fairest winner is determined to make amends.

“We’ve never been in this position before – on top of the ladder for a long, long time,” Petracca said on ABC Radio.

“That’s probably the motivation for us, for our fans and for people who have been with us for a long time who have been patiently waiting for a team like this to put the club back on the map.

“So that’s the motivation for us.”

After 15 rounds of the home and away season, the Demons sit one game clear on top of the AFL ladder, primed for a push towards September.

But Petracca says his side is not getting complacent.

“At no point are we getting comfortable with where we are,” he said.

“We haven’t done anything.

“Hopefully that comes at the end of the year and we’re playing in big games at the end of the year.”

Fresh off the bye, Melbourne banked an important four points on Saturday night, outlasting Essendon at the MCG.

And while the game was far from perfect, Petracca was once again a key player, with 26 disposals and two goals to his name.

“Personally, I love playing with a chip on my shoulder and I like [when] the team’s playing with a chip on the shoulder,” he said.

“Every game I feel like we’ve got a point to prove, whether we’re versing a team that’s not going great or a team that’s going really well.

“You’ve seen from our season this year that we play unbelievable against really good teams, and I feel like we want to have an attitude that we are the best team.

“But then also, I wouldn’t say it’s comfortability, but I think against the teams that aren’t going as well, we really need to put our foot on the throat and stamp our authority.”

To hear more from Petracca reviewing Round 15, listen to the interview below.