Melbourne Star Christian Petracca's Season-Ending Injury

Melbourne midfielder Christian Petracca faced a 'traumatic' recovery after suffering severe injuries including a lacerated spleen, four broken ribs, and a punctured lung during a game against Collingwood, ending his 2024 season. Petracca, who returned to the field before realizing the severity of his injuries, underwent open surgery without general anesthesia due to low blood levels, describing the experience as akin to a 'car accident.' Despite expressing self-doubt about his future and the rawness of the situation, Petracca remains hopeful of returning to his previous form, emphasizing the challenges and emotional toll of the recovery process. His fellow player, Darcy Moore, has been supportive, reaching out multiple times post-injury, showing camaraderie amidst the distressing incident.