I think it is a mistake : Did the Dees go early on Petracca contract?
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2021-05-05T11:24+10:00
Melbourne has officially announced the re-signing of Christian Petracca until the end of the 2029 season – a seven-year extension.
SEN Chief Reporter Sammy Edmund believes the deal is worth more than $1 million per year, making the 2020 All-Australian one of the game’s highest paid players.
Petracca was originally contracted until the end of 2022 and Kane Cornes wonders why the Demons committed to such a long extension when they had another year up their sleeves.
“He’s 25, he’s done a knee previously, and he’s probably put together two very good seasons and it’s Dustin Martin-ish money,” Cornes told
SEN’s Rolling All-Australian team returns for 2021!
This team will attempt to reward season-long performance, rather than jumping week to week based on standout individual efforts.
The team is based on who has stood out early in the season.
Expect the squad of 22 to be in flux until players separate themselves from the pack.
The team will slowly take shape across the season, culminating in a final and settled All-Australian team after Round 23.
We have made five changes to the team this week, with veteran midfielders David Mundy and Travis Boak headlining the changes.
They replace the injured Dustin Martin and the unlucky Jack Steele. Josh Dunkley however holds his spot in the team despite his long-term injury. Dunkley was still among the best for the Dogs before dislocating his shoulder.
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Christian Petracca has made it clear he wants to be Tigers champion Dustin Martinâs successor as he led Melbourne to a dominant victory over the reigning premiers to stamp the Demons as a genuine premiership contender.
He was the most powerful player on the ground in the second half, while Martin had one of the quietest nights of his career, before being concussed in a marking contest in the third quarter.
Christian Petracca is congratulated by Alex Neal-Bullen after kicking a goal for the Demons in their win over the Tigers.
Credit:Getty Images
The knock means Martin will miss next Friday nightâs huge match against the undefeated Western Bulldogs.
The Demons are 5-0 - is this a drill? A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
You have to think back to 1994. That was the last time Melbourne went 5-0 to start a season.
After a fast start, they crumbled to lose seven of their next eight but steadied to play finals, finishing seventh with a 12-10 record. They eventually lost to the Eagles at the WACA in the preliminary final.
This year, they’ve jumped out of the blocks with five straight wins and Demons fans are probably wondering: is this for real?
Gawn monsters Hawks as Demons start 5-0 for first time in over two decades sen.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sen.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.