Melbourne defender Steven May has opened up about the battles teammate Christian Petracca has faced since severe internal injuries finished his season.
Petracca cleared the air with his teammates this week after spending time away from the club to aid his recovery, which will continue for several more weeks.
Christian Petracca celebrates a goal.Credit: AFL Photos
“I’m good mates with Trac and obviously with the injury and the mental health and a lot of the media reporting – it has obviously taken a toll on him,” May said in an interview with Seven.
“I’ve been checking in on him and it is good to have him back at the club now. In leadership meetings, at trainings. We are a better club for having him around, he’s the class clown and we’ve missed that sort of morale booster, especially while we have been copping it a bit.
“It’s good to have him back.”
May added that Petracca’s talk to his teammates was “emotional”.
“He was pretty emotional,” May said.
“He had spoken to the club about needing some time off and it was while we were on a away game so he didn’t get to speak to us himself.
“So he stood up and pretty much told us exactly what he is going through, he hasn’t missed a game in I don’t know how long so it would take a toll on you.
“He opened up to us about how he has been struggling and mental health is different for everyone and it’s never one size fits all.
“Some people might be better around the club, doing some coaching or something but others need to get away – it was just good to get some clarity on that.”
