AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh is reportedly opening an investigation of Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca's life-threatening injuries he sustained in June.
Petracca's broken ribs, a punctured lung and lacerated spleen, have been widely documented and have been a major issue for the four-time All-Australian, who declared his own mortality was a real possibility.
As a result, the 28-year-old had sought a move away from the club among a host of issues but most notably, the handling of his injury.
With the return of Marsh from his extended leave, the governing players' body will look further into the handling of the situation, according toย Channel 9'sย Caroline Wilson.
"Paul Marsh has started to talk to various parties involved, including Christian Petracca, about what happened on that fateful day," Wilson said on Nine'sย Footy Classified.
"This could get very embarrassing for the Melbourne football club. It could get very embarrassing for the AFL, who through their chief medical officer and general counsel Stephen Meade, cleared Melbourne and did not send them a 'please explain' for any negligence or wrongdoing," she said.
"The AFL are satisfied, from their point of view, that everything was done right. But there is no doubt that terrible stories are still emerging about what happened."
"Miscommunication between the various health transport services involved on the day, the length of time it took for the Demons to call an ambulance, the misdiagnosis of Christian Petracca's injury.
"There is no doubt that there are terrible stories still emerging about what happened."
Caroline Wilson reports the AFLPA is investigating the treatment of Christian Petracca following his harrowing injury during the King's Birthday clash.#9FootyClassified | Live on 9Now ๐ฅ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/hUqlpNycxB
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 9, 2024
"The fact that he was taken to the Epworth Hospital and waited there for hours before being taken to the Alfred (Hospital), where he finally had surgery and was unable to have a general anaesthetic because of the seriousness of the situation.
"He (Marsh) is really concerned, not only for Christian but for all players and the state of the game, that this was allowed to happen. He has now started to ask questions of his own.
"I think this story is about to get uglier when we find out more details."
It is understood that Petracca and his family have struggled to move on from the extreme incident.
Despite his frustrations and anger, the 2021 Norm Smith medallist did pledge his allegiance to the Demons late last month.
Melbourne has also revealed that they will receive external counsel from New Zealand All Blacks manager Darren Shand, who is an "expert in culture and leadership."
Captain Max Gawn said he's "glad it's happening" and will welcome any assistance that will make the club better.