Christian Petracca tells Melbourne Demons he wants to be traded to Gold Coast Suns

Christian Petracca wants to join Damien Hardwick’s Gold Coast Suns despite speculation he was most likely going to head to Adelaide.

Gold Coast appeared the only team in the running when Adelaide reportedly withdrew from the race, having met with Petracca last week.

The Demons star has told Melbourne he would like to move to the Suns with the club now needing to work out a deal that would benefit the Dees for giving up such a big-name star.

Former St Kilda coach and Fremantle midfielder Scott Watters had forecast a top-four berth for the Dockers if Fremantle had been a chance of luring Petracca to the club.

The development comes after Melbourne told wayward star Clayton Oliver he was no longer wanted at the club.

Oliver was left shattered by the news and then verbally abused Channel Seven AFL reporter Mitch Cleary at Melbourne Airport as he headed off on his summer holiday on Thursday.

WATCH OLIVER’S BLOW-UP BELOW

Petracca agitated to leave Melbourne last year but ultimately didn’t request a trade.

Gold Coast have several high draft picks — six, seven (from St Kilda), 13, 16 — giving them the means to make a serious bif for Petracca, who is on $1.2 million contract.

The 2021 Norm Smith medallist would be a huge addition to the Suns’ already star-studded midfield led by Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell and captain Noah Anderson.

New Demons coach Steven King said ahead of today’s news Melbourne were keen to retain the four-time All-Australian and two-time best-and-fairest award winner Petracca.

“I’ve spoken to Christian on the phone,” King told SEN radio on Thursday.

“As a coach, I’d love the opportunity to work with Christian and coach him.

“I fully understand the landscape we’re in. I respect Christian’s decisions now to explore his options, but he has got four years left on a contract.

“So it would have to be an amazing deal for our footy club for him to move. If things don’t work out for Christian, it’s a fresh start with me and Paul (Guerra) as CEO.

“I’ve got his back, around walking back into the club and playing great footy, and I’ll back him in.”

King added Petracca would be “pivotal” to his plans for next season and beyond.

Two-time All-Australian defender May, 33, has been told to look elsewhere, despite having one year left on his contract.

West Australian product Judd McVee wants to return to his home state and is keen to join Fremantle.

Steven May has also been told to find a new club as King cleans house.

Oliver met with new Demons coach Steven King on Thursday and was informed he does not fit into the club’s midfield plans next season.

Melbourne officials are happy for the four-time best-and-fairest winner to gauge interest among rival clubs.

Oliver, 28, is contracted for the next five seasons on a deal that would earn him more than $1 million a year.

The Demons would likely pay a significant chunk of that salary to get Oliver off their books.

“Today was a good chance to sit down with Clayton and share how Steven and the coaches see the game being played, and where the opportunities lie for him,” Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said on Thursday in a statement.

“We were up-front with Clayton around the role he is likely to play next season and the need for him to develop his craft beyond the midfield to have his biggest impact within the team.

“It was honest and respectful, and Clayton is now clear on what we see his role being next year, and how we think he can best contribute.

“Clayton is contracted for another five years. If he wants to explore his options in the upcoming AFL trade period, we will respect that.

“Should he remain in the red and blue, we will of course continue to support and embrace him as part of our club.”

Oliver wanted to join Geelong last year, but a deal was not struck in the trade period.

The player was reportedly keen to continue at Melbourne under King, who has replaced Simon Goodwin after the 2021 premiership mentor was axed in August.

But being pushed out of the midfield could have led to Oliver spending more time playing in the Demons’ reserves team.

Oliver hit out after the news broke on Thursday, posting on social media a picture of him playing for Melbourne’s VFL affiliate Casey with the caption: “Actually doesn’t look too bad on me.”

Elsewhere, Brisbane confirmed two-time premiership players Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee will depart, seeking moves to West Coast and Adelaide respectively.

Coach Chris Fagan announced the pair’s departure at the Lions’ best-and-fairest ceremony.

Fringe midfielder Deven Robertson has requested a trade to West Coast, while Sam Day has retired.

No VFL/AFL premiers have ever fielded the same team in round one the following year.

St Kilda’s off-season recruiting drive is set to move up a gear with the signing of Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni from Carlton when the AFL free agency period opens.

Clubs can sign free agents from Friday morning, with the Saints poised to lodge forms for their two key targets with the league.

Silvagni declared his intention to join the Ross Lyon-coached side last month and will complete a straightforward move as an unrestricted free agent.

The Blues are not expected to exercise their right to match St Kilda’s monster eight-year contract offer to restricted free agent De Koning.

In other free agency moves, Hawthorn will have three days to assess and decide whether to match Geelong’s four-year offer to star midfielder James Worpel, who is a restricted free agent.

Melbourne premiership player Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne) and GWS defender Jacob Wehr (Port Adelaide) are set to find new clubs as unrestricted free agents.

Back-to-back premiers Brisbane are set to strengthen their list with the addition of Essendon ruckman Sam Draper and West Coast forward Oscar Allen.

Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek is weighing interest from Melbourne, while Gold Coast midfielder Brayden Fiorini has a choice between Essendon, Port Adelaide and the Suns.

The free agency period runs until October 10. The trade period overlaps, running from October 6-15.

With AAP