Christian Petracca and his Demons teammates look dejected after losing to Geelong.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne premiership star Christian Petracca looks like a player who is not happy at his football club, according to Seven commentator and two-time Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge.
Petracca became the public face of the Demonsâ woeful 0-4 start to the season when he buried his face in his hands walking off GMHBA Stadium on Friday night after their 39-point loss to Geelong.
Hodge said the pain and frustration showing on the Melbourne onballerâs face was damning.
âI understand people say you are competitive, [but] that looked deeper,â the four-time premiership Hawk said on SEN.
âThat looked like a bloke who is just not happy where he is.
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âI know he spoke about getting out and wanting to go last year [after his injury].â
Hodge said Petraccaâs post-game reaction caught his eye.
âYouâre sitting there going, âGee, heâs not enjoying his time thereâ. Same as the other players,â Hodge said.
âBut that is a big watch at the end of the season if it stays like this.â
Another all-time Hawthorn great, Leigh Matthews, said Melbourne was at the crossroads.
âDeep down, and Iâm talking about the Petraccas, the Olivers and the Gawns, they would kind of know, âWeâve dropped off in our premiership contention, and weâre struggling around the middle to the bottom half of the ladderâ,â Matthews said on 3AW.
âThatâs a very frustrating time for footballers and football clubs. Thatâs when change tends to take place.
âAll of a sudden, the group that took you there is not going to take you there again.â





