If there’s one storyline dominating the 2025 AFL trade period, it’s Gold Coast’s audacious bid for Christian Petracca. The Suns, fresh off their first finals appearance, are pushing hard to bring the Melbourne champion north in what would be one of the most transformative trades of the decade.
While no formal deal has yet been struck, multiple reports suggest Gold Coast have the draft capital and cap room to make a serious offer — thanks largely to their earlier trades, including sending Sam Flanders to St Kilda for Pick 7.
Why this rumour has legs
Gold Coast have never been better positioned to land a marquee player. With a young core featuring Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Bailey Humphrey already driving the midfield, Petracca’s arrival would tilt the balance from “developing” to “dangerous.”
List manager Craig Cameron has reportedly told Melbourne the Suns can deliver a premium first-rounder, a future first, and a ready-made player. The pitch is compelling: come to Queensland, play forward more often, and be the experienced match-winner in a side on the rise.
How Petracca would reshape the Suns
- Forward flexibility: Petracca’s 60/40 forward-midfield split would give the Suns a genuine power presence inside 50, complementing Ben King and creating nightmare matchups.
- Experience in the contest: His ability to absorb pressure and explode from stoppage would instantly elevate Gold Coast’s midfield rotations.
- Leadership impact: Bringing in a player who has won a Norm Smith and a premiership sets a cultural standard few clubs outside Victoria have managed to attract.
Melbourne’s side of the equation
Melbourne are publicly resistant but privately pragmatic. With salary-cap squeeze pressures and a strong draft crop coming, a godfather offer could tempt them. The Demons would expect two first-round picks and a quality young player at minimum — nothing less than a haul befitting one of the league’s elite.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 02: Christian Petracca of the Demons and Simon Goodwin, Senior Coach of the Demons celebrate during the 2025 AFL Round 21 match between the Melbourne Demons and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on August 2, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
A second subplot: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Adding spice to the Suns’ rumour mill, reports also link Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to Gold Coast, with the young Bulldog allegedly open to a fresh start and willing to take a smaller deal for opportunity and lifestyle. Though far less advanced than the Petracca chase, it signals intent: the Suns want to assemble a front six that can beat anyone, anywhere.
The bottom line
It’s not done — not even close — but the ambition is unmistakable. Gold Coast aren’t content to merely play finals; they’re trying to fast-track into premiership contention. Landing Petracca would be a masterstroke that changes not just their trajectory, but their entire reputation.
