With the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season kicking off in a matter of weeks, Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Christian Petracca has shared insight into his first SUNS pre-season.
The four-time All Australian will be eyeing a debut in the red & gold when the SUNS take on 2025 grand finalists Geelong under the Friday night lights at People First Stadium in Opening Round.
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Petracca shared his move to the sunshine state following the 2025 Trade Period has been transformative in more ways than one.
“The move has forced me to work harder and challenge myself more. It's been incredible for me to get out of my comfort zone not just off the field, but also on the field and wanting to be a better player and obviously be a part of a great team,” the 30-year-old said.
“From an off-field point of view, it's probably the most present and the most healthiest I've felt mentally for quite a while, to be honest.”
“I'm off my phone a lot more. I'm outside. I'm fishing. I'm crabbing. I feel like I'm a lot more present.
“The last six months has been awesome for my wife and I, being able to be up here and the club's just been incredible for that.
“I feel like when I play my best footy, and I'm sure all the other boys can agree, when they're playing their best footy is when they have that great balance between life and footy. I feel like I've got a great balance with that at the moment.”
Petracca is in contention to get a run in the SUNS engine room this Thursday night at People First Stadium when the SUNS take on the Saints in a match-simulation.
“No doubt against other opposition we’ve got incredible versatility and depth across all positions,” the midfielder said.
“It’s been amazing for me coming in here and playing that midfield/forward role and understanding that there's so many other players around me who are also quite versatile and we have a lot of depth.”
While the 2021 Norm Smith medallist has his sights set on achieving success with the SUNS, he emphasised the significance of the Senior Coach Damien Hardwick’s “next shift” mentality.
“Winning the premiership – that’s what we're all here to do and all 18 other clubs are striving for. That's the excitement that brings us back every year after disappointment.
“I know it's a cliche, but we do take it one week at a time. The expectation externally is always going to be there, and we understand that internally, but the more we can just focus on St Kilda this week and Brisbane next week, the more we'll just stack those days and we'll hopefully be there.”
