Petracca doubted he could reproduce his best after ‘life-changing’ injuries. He just proved he can

None of Christian Petracca’s performances last year went near matching his effort against the Cats in opening round on Friday night. SportAFLAFL 2026Petracca doubted he could reproduce his best after ‘life-changing’ injuries. He just proved he canBy Peter Ryan March 7, 2026 — 1.31amSaveLog in, register or subscribe to save articles for later.Save articles for laterAdd articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.Got itNormal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text sizeAdvertisementLoadingGold Coast: Christian Petracca admitted he had doubts whether he could ever return to his best form after making a stunning debut in his new colours as the Suns obliterated Geelong to stamp themselves as genuine premiership contenders.After the traumatic injuries he suffered in 2024, which he describes as “life-changing”, Petracca had a solid final year with Melbourne last season.Christian Petracca celebrates a goal as part of his brilliant performance in his first match for the Suns.Credit: AFL PhotosBut none of his performances went near matching his effort at Carrara in opening round, when he finished with 34 touches, three goals and 678 metres gained. It was vintage Petracca as he exploded from stoppage and hit targets inside 50, with most of his disposals forward of centre.“As an athlete you always doubt yourself at some point,” Petracca admitted after the match. “There is a lot of criticism and self-doubt, more internally than externally. I put so much pressure on myself to perform each week and sometimes if you don’t reach those [targets], you get frustrated.“I just need to trust my work and trust what I do.”Damien Hardwick has a list capable of winning the flag. Credit: AFL PhotosGold Coast officials say Petracca has not put a foot wrong since he sat down with the club to discuss the potential of joining the club. He has been invested in the young players’ development, and in setting an example on and off the field for the group.The Norm Smith medallist said the impact of the injuries suffered on Queen’s Birthday in 2024 – when he suffered a lacerated spleen, a punctured lung and four broken ribs – lingered, but he had found a way to move forward with his football.Petracca suffered serious injuries to his ribs and spleen in the King’s Birthday clash of 2024.Credit: Getty ImagesAdvertisement“It’s always there,” Petracca said. “It was a life-changing moment for me. It is crazy how life-altering moments can change the trajectory of life. It’s pretty amazing in that sense, and the universe and all that sort of stuff. I won’t get too spiritual on you.“It’s part of my identity and part of my journey.”Damien Hardwick admitted he was excited about what Petracca had shown on the field and praised him for the connection he has created with teammates after moving to the Gold Coast.“His ability to win the ball forward of centre and use the ball forward of centre is the reason we brought him to the footy club,” Hardwick said.Petracca is the highest-profile player to have joined the Suns since Hardwick was appointed coach in August 2023 and famously told reporters that “80 per cent of our first premiership side is sitting in this room right now”.In the time since, the Suns have added Dan Rioli, John Noble, Leo Lombard, Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson, Jai Murray and Beau Addinsall, as well as the Bulldogs’ Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.Petracca embraces teammate Touk Miller after the Norm Smith medallist’s stunning first game for the Suns.Credit: AFL PhotosThey were also without Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell (who was injured) and the suspended Jed Walter, while Jake Rogers was playing VFL.Ugle-Hagan will have to earn a spot in the team, with Hardwick emphasising the need to set the talented but wayward forward up for success after he stood out of football last season due to personal issues.“When he is ready to go, we’re going to unleash him,” Hardwick said.The coach admitted Ugle-Hagan wants to be playing AFL, but the three-time premiership coach is unafraid to resist pressure.“He’s a driven individual, very competitive,” Hardwick said. “It is great for this lad to be playing, but it is also [going to be] great for the AFL world to see what this could become. We know he has got great talent, he had a rocky road. We’re sitting there prepared to give him a chance, but we also want to make sure when he’s right to go, he’s right to go.”Tanner Bruhn made a strong return for the CatsCredit: AFL PhotosMeanwhile, Geelong coach Chris Scott said the Cats would not overreact to their performance, despite their disappointment.“We probably need them to be a little bit off, and they were the opposite,” Scott said of the Suns. “We will be better for the run.”The bright spot for the Cats was the form of Tanner Bruhn after he missed last season when he faced sexual assault charges, which were withdrawn in November when a key witness admitted in court to lying.Bruhn collected 31 touches and provided plenty of run.“He’s definitely going to be an asset for us. If anything, it is sort of galling that we didn’t have him [last year] as he is the sort of player we needed at times.