Melbourne star Christian Petracca's season is over in a massive blow to the out-of-form side's AFL finals hopes.
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The 28-year-old midfielder is recovering in hospital after surgery to repair four broken ribs and a lacerated spleen, sustained in a marking contest during the King's Birthday loss to Collingwood.
He has been moved out of ICU and is expected to be discharged from hospital in the coming days.
But the Demons on Thursday confirmed doctors have advised Petracca won't be able to return to contact training "for a minimum of 12 weeks", ruling him out of action for the rest of the 2024 campaign.
Petracca first revealed his season was over in a social media post.
"Thankful for all the love and support I've received these past few days," he posted earlier on Thursday.
"While my season may have come to an end, I'm grateful I still have the opportunity to give it my all again in 2025.
"In the meantime, I'll be cheering the boys on from the sidelines and making some tasty meals in the kitchen."
Melbourne on Thursday said Petracca "remains in good spirits despite the unfortunate news".
It comes after the Demons expressed "full confidence" in their medical team over its handling of the star midfielder's injuries.
The club came under fire for allowing Petracca back onto the field against the Magpies after he was hurt at the end of the first quarter.
He played on during the second term but was eventually substituted out of the match. He underwent surgery on Monday night.
"I want to make it clear that we have full confidence in how our medical team responded and the procedures they followed," Demons football boss Alan Richardson said in a club statement on Wednesday.
"Their expertise and swift actions have been crucial in managing Christian's injury and subsequent recovery."
AFL chief medical officer Dr Michael Makdissi spoke with Melbourne's medical team on Tuesday, with the league "comfortable" with how the Dees handled Petracca's injuries.
Petracca also backed the club's doctors and revealed after the match he had pushed to return to the field.
Melbourne (7-6) have lost four of their past five matches, slipping out of the top eight in the process.
They have a bye this week before facing North Melbourne at the MCG on June 22.
Australian Associated Press
