AF 2015 Profile: Christian Petracca

[Mr.Craig]

Christian Petracca



4/1/96 186cm/92kg Eastern Ranges Midfielder/Forward

Price - 297,000

2014 Averages - 15.1 kicks, 9.5 handballs, 6.1 marks, 3.5 tackles, 2.2 goals

2012 AF Ave: 56.6
2013 AF Ave: 95.7
2014 AF Ave: 105.7

2013 Scores - 102, 78, 68, 83, 108, 72, 134, 101, 72, 112, 93, 119, 79, 96, 78, 83, 135, 111

2014 Scores - 115, 70, 92, 94, 129, 147, 88, 119, 98


Profile

It became apparent during 2013 that Petracca was going to be something very special. A strongly built half forward with a fantastic set of hands and a real desire for the contested side of the game, he kicked 41 goals in 17 games and set the TAC alight. Despite this, what happened in 2014 was still a shock as Christian took all before him, winning the Vic Metro MVP, the Larke Medal and being named All Australian. Amazingly he wasn't originally part of the AIS-AFL Academy but was a late call up and during the year spent a week training with Hawthorn. At TAC level he moved into the midfield with great results while still kicking multiple goals in 7/9 games. I'm sure we'll continue to hear plenty about his basketball talents but the fact is Petracca was made to be a footballer. The indications are that with his skill set he'll be incredibly hard to match up on and should cause headaches for opposition teams for many years to come.

Callum Twomey - There isn't much more Petracca could have done this season to prove himself worthy as an early draft pick. He's a game-busting, try-and-stop-me midfielder who can impact the contest in a number of ways. At clearances he is intense and physical, and pushes his way through congestion with his big frame and tenacious attitude. Quick and agile, he likes tackling and chasing, and has improved his endurance to become a midfielder. But he has plenty of tricks, having shown he is a very natural forward who creates something from nothing near goal. A driven, extremely motivated character who wants to be a great player, Petracca will handle the pressure of being a top draft choice with a smile and a laugh and get on with things.

Mad Monday - Even though he spent most of his 2013 season up forward, Christian Petracca is simply a midfield giant. The Eastern Ranger ranked elite in the U18 Championship for Rating Points (Petracca had the highest average for rating points of any player in Division 1), kicks, handballs, marks, metres gained and uncontested possessions and was rewarded with the Larke Medal as the best player in Division 1. At TAC Cup level, he averaged 25 disposals and 16 contested possessions, the latter was matched by no other Victorian junior. He possesses great awareness in the contest and thrives when given an opportunity at a stoppage.

Knightmare - There are not many 92kg midfielders going around and even fewer with the explosiveness and power of Petracca. He wins his own ball and can either burst through the contest or run around you with ease. He stands up through tackles and has the strength through his core and hips, he can shrug tackles and give a strong don't argue. In the 1v1 contests he can take advantage of anyone who is not key position sized making him a matchup nightmare. Petracca is best utilised at the moment in the front half because he is just so damaging forward of centre. The hope will be that he becomes more a midfielder but I would look for him to split his minutes between the midfield and front half long term as he is a rare weapon forward of centre.

SC Paige - Petracca kicks goals on the run from outside 50, but that's only after he's busted through a pack, accelerating and bulldozing past his opponents to break free and kick important clutch goals. He rates in the top one percent in the country for agility, his natural leap and vision and awareness: three attributes he's adapted from his also elite junior basketball days. There's not a player in his draft - or even drafts gone by - that he can be compared to, with one TAC Cup talent manager labelling him a "once in a generation player".


Pros - Goal kicking/ball winning beast, ready to go

Cons - Defensive attention might see his goal stats drop, could struggle to run out games early


Fantasy Prospects - Petracca doesn't rack the ball up like some of the other draftees and relies a fair bit on his marking/goal kicking to post high scores. In that respect I can't see him having a huge average but he's certainly ready to go. There's a few issues with his footskills, decision making and carrying a bit of flab which needs to be turned into muscle but I'd imagine St Kilda will have the faith to play him early. He doesn't really strike me as a green vest type of player so hopefully he can get a good run of games and rise in value. m0nty has him priced at 207k which would be considerably lower than Boyd started at in 2014 so we'll have to see what FanHub do. Regardless, you would still have to weigh up if his scoring will be good enough to warrant picking him over a basement priced rookie.

Prediction - 66-70


Media

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-20/why-draft-young-gun-christian-petracca-said-yes-to-footy-and-no-to-an-nba-dream
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/top-afl-draft-prospect-christian-petracca-proves-his-midfield-credentials-20140930-10o6nk.html
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/christian-petracca-has-nose-in-front-in-open-race-for-no1-draft-pick-20141004-10q7wt.html
http://madmondayshow.com/2014/10/28/christian-petracca-player-profile/
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/christian-petracca-set-to-join-st-kilda-with-no1-draft-pick/story-fni5f9q3-1227093037607

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEPigCM3ctc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIfvQf7XXDg
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-20/going-places-christian-petracca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsK5SDQP1Q4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87O0ap0vjkA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIfvQf7XXDg&spfreload=10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn8wVd2Yx38

[Toga]

Nice work Craigy, love seeing the rookie profiles!

Should be locked in at #1, but whether he goes to the Saints or Dees he should see games next year, looks ready made for footy. Will have to strongly consider him for a bench spot, although there should be a few cheap forward options next year!

[Nige]

This kid is good, very good.

Here's hoping it translates into fantasy points.

[kilbluff1985]

i think he will be much better for supercoach

[pommyadam]

u18s championship scores:

rd2: 27 disp, 12 kicks, 2.1 goals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 118 DT
rd3: 31 disp, 18 kicks, 0.0 goals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 111 DT
rd4: 26 disp, 19 kicks, 0.1 goals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 109 DT
rd5: 24 disp, 9 kicks, 1.0 goals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 89 DT
rd6: 17 disp, 12 kicks, 0.1 goals, 6 marks, 0 tackles, 67 DT

looks pretty suited to the DT environment, but can I justify picking him over other cheaper options (and possibly in a better side) - I'm not too sure

[Vinny]

Going to be an absolute machine, gutted he won't be around for our WXV pick. :'(

[Toga]

Going to be an absolute machine, gutted he won't be around for our WXV pick. :'(

Or will he? >:D

[Sweetness]

looks pretty suited to the DT environment, but can I justify picking him over other cheaper options (and possibly in a better side) - I'm not too sure

That is what it comes down to

[Ricochet]

Going to be an absolute machine, gutted he won't be around for our WXV pick. :'(

Or will he? >:D

#mindgames

[powersuperkents]

Picking Brayshaw ahead of him. I think that Brayshaw will be more AFL-ready by R1. Definitely will watch him and hopefully he becomes a downgrade target later this season.