Melbourne captain Max Gawn expects disgruntled teammate Christian Petracca to be at the club in 2025 despite multiple reports indicating his desire to leave.
Petracca's saga has covered the front and back pages of most media outlets, with the frenzy reaching record heights as the superstar remains relatively quiet.
Speaking on Triple M Breakfast with Rosie, Wil and Daisy, Gawn has gone to bat for the 28-year-old, taking his side after the traumatic injury experiences and the issues that followed that began in June.
However, given Petracca's contract status and the conversations the Demons skipper has had with him, he expects the 2021 Norm Smith medallist to don the red and blue once again.
โI've had some hard, honest conversations [with Christian] on where we both sit with the Melbourne Football Club,โ Gawn said.
โI'm planning for Christian to be there [next season].โ
The Petracca situation isn't the only rigmarole the Melbourne Football Club has been forced to deal with in 2024.
The medical retirement of Angus Brayshaw played a role in the club's demise. The external noise surrounding Clayton Oliver and his off-field behaviours reared its ugly head. Joel Smith's drug allegations have seen him face a multi-year ban. The club's culture, questioned.
Gawn admits that the constant barrage "is starting to wear thin".
SEE MORE: Melbourne president Kate Roffey address Petracca crippling controversy
"It's been about our club for 12 months," Gawn added.
"I love the Melbourne Football Club and am someone who likes to keep on top of the news, so I've read a lot of it, and it is starting to wear thin on me.
"I missed the memo when you could write on gossip. I thought you had to get facts.
"I categorically know that in the past two weeks, there has been genuine gossip because I've been involved in some of the stories that have been said.
"But I think the underlying gripe over the past 12 months has been our comms (communication).
"But it's also making me patriotic, wanting to make sure we get the club better. My role as captain is to be there for my 44 teammates."
