Speculation surrounding Christian Petracca's future continues to rear its ugly head after it was confirmed during this year's annual exit meeting that he wishes to depart Melbourne.
Petracca's frustrations and anger have been widely documented, but a caveat in his desire to move is where the problem lies.
The four-time All-Australian is contracted until the end of 2029 and can be bound by the deal he signed at the end of 2021 by the club.
If the Demons wish to keep him in the red and blue, contractually, they can do so.
Carlton - albeit not on record - is unlikely to let Harry McKay walk to facilitate any deal, while Adam Cerra could also be a player of interest to Melbourne.
And Collingwood - the other team Petracca would reportedly head to - doesn't have the draft capital or salary cap space to even consider a move for the champion midfielder.
So unless a Godfather offer comes to the doorstep of the Demons, it looks like the 28-year-old will be staying put.
However, what has been brought to light is the idea of Petracca going "nuclear" in ensuring Melbourne meets his demands of a trade.
In doing so, the two-time Keith 'Bluey' Truscott winner would need to lodge a grievance request, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Annexure D.
A grievance request would arise from any issue or dispute between "player and club arising out of respect of the employment of a player or the application, operation or interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement".
He'd need to prove that there was a breach of contract and, in doing so, attempt to prove a breach of duty of care and mistreatment.
Once the grievance request is lodged, it heads to the Tribunal, where the AFL can step in and help broker a trade through forced mediation based on the list of issues Petracca has dealt with, including but not limited to his traumatic injury that resulted in four broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated spleen.
Journalist Jon Ralph said that Petracca would "watch the world burn" to ensure a move would be granted.
It was revealed by the star midfielder on the podcastย The Howie Gamesย that he was facing a grim reality where the surgeons said "he might not make it" before alerting his fiancee.
Petracca's partner was called by the surgeon at 3 am one morning.
โโHe's in critical condition because there was internal bleeding and everything, so he's in serious and critical condition.'
โFor me, it was more that that hit home rather than the actual injury itself.
โAt the time, I was on just medication, and I'm out of surgery, so (I was thinking) this is great, get me some food.
โBut you look at Bella's face and think far out, this must've been way more serious than what I initially interpreted it as.
โEver since then, the last six or seven weeks have been really tough on both of us. She's been amazing for me since I first met her, but just through this experience.โ
โTo be honest, I can't sleep because of stuff like that. I'm having to see a trauma psych to deal with what's going on,โ Petracca continued.
โI think about it every day, which is something I'll eventually get over."
According to theย Herald Sun, the AFLPA is well aware of the grievance tribunal as it believes Petracca has a case, given the list of issues at the club.
Melbourne's cultural issues; Clayton Oliver's behaviour; the Joel Smith trafficking allegations; Simon Goodwin's alleged behaviour and gambling.
The AFL trade period opens on October 7, so a lot of water will need to go under this bridge to see any resolution, regardless of what it looks like.
