Right mix pays off for Demon
ROUTINE has provided a oneway ticket to reward for Melbourne star Christian Petracca, who has enjoyed the most fruitful start to a season in his fiveyear career.
The 24-year-old has credited consistency off the field for allowing his football to flourish.
Petracca, who kicked a late clutch goal to seal the Demons’ 17-point win over Gold Coast last weekend, said finding what worked for him during the week was paying dividends.
“I think it’s my most consistent patch of form – not necessarily my best form,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve created really good habits from Monday to Friday, and built a really good routine.
“I feel like once you do that, the confidence in yourself just starts increasing and that’s what I feel like I’m doing.”
Champion Data statistics show that Petracca – who has played 90 games – is thriving in the competition’s most interrupted season, having recorded career-high statistics for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and pressure points.
“I feel like my consistency over a five or six-week period is better than what it’s been for my career,” he said, having averaged 23.6 touches per game this year.
As AFL players prepare for the next fixture stretch, which could see games condensed and played off fourday breaks in an effort to play more games and minimise the time on the road, Petracca backed the preparation overseen by fitness boss Darren Burgess. “Even before we came back and during that iso period when we had six or seven weeks off, we would train a fair bit and train back to back days,” he said.
“We would train Monday, Tuesday and then probably a Thursday or Friday.
“We’re ready for that challenge, and that pre-season was one of the hardest pre-seasons I’ve done, so physically, I know I’m prepared and I know my teammates are prepared.