Christian Petracca, a key player for the Melbourne Football Club, has suffered a setback in his recovery from a severe mid-season injury sustained last year. The 29-year-old midfielder cracked a rib during a pre-season training session following a collision. Previously, Petracca had experienced a season-ending injury, which included a lacerated spleen, broken ribs, and a punctured lung, during a match against Collingwood in June last year. His recovery process involved a week in ICU post-surgery.
The latest injury occurred at Casey Fields as the Demons were preparing for the upcoming Australian Football League season. The club’s performance manager, Selwyn Griffith, stated that Petracca was taken for scans after the incident, which revealed the rib crack. Griffith expressed frustration over the setback, noting Petracca’s significant progress in recovering from his previous injuries. While the current injury’s relation to the prior rib damage remains unclear, the club has confirmed that a timeline for his recovery is pending.
Despite the injuries, Petracca and the Melbourne Football Club have reaffirmed their commitment to each other, following a period when Petracca contemplated a trade. Melbourne’s first official pre-season match is scheduled for March 2 against Fremantle.
