Christian Petracca has spoken for the first time since suffering a season-ending laceration to his spleen, along with four broken ribs and a punctured lung.
The Melbourne champion copped a brutal knee to the ribs from Darcy Moore during the Demons’ King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood last Monday.
The 28-year-old, now recovering at home, said it has been a rough week and “a lot of self-doubt” lingers about his future.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
“It’s been pretty traumatic. It’s been pretty full on, I don’t wish this upon my worst enemy,” he told Nova 100 radio.
Petracca came off after the hit but was given the green light to go back on the ground despite the pain he was in.
Extraordinarily, the midfielder was able to rack up five more disposals, but looked under significant duress and soon came off again before the seriousness of the injury was realised and he was sent to hospital.
“If I had known the severity, I obviously wouldn’t have gone back out there,” Petracca said.
“I had surgery at 2am. I wasn’t under anaesthetic because my blood levels were so low.”
The 2021 Norm Smith medallist said he has a long list of things he must avoid.
“I’m not allowed to run for seven weeks, I can’t have contact sport for 12 weeks,” he said.
On whether he has any doubts about returning, Petracca said: “Bloody oath, at the moment, yeah. It’s still raw for me, it’s still seven days.”
“I watched a little bit of footy on the weekend, I had to turn it off,” he added.
“Even a simple tackle, you put yourself back in the situation you were. So of course, at the moment it’s quite raw.
“I’ll be able to get back to the player I was, just at the moment it’s a lot of self doubt which is fine, it’s a natural feeling.”
Petracca confirmed last Thursday that his season was over.
“Thankful for all the love and support I’ve received these past few days,” Petracca, who had been placed in the Alfred Hospital’s intensive care unit,” said.
“While my season may have come to an end, I’m grateful I still have the opportunity to give it my all again in 2025.
“In the meantime, Ill be cheering the boys on from the sidelines and making some tasty meals in the kitchen.”
Melbourne were criticised for allowing Petracca to play in the second quarter after the serious incident.
But Petracca said it was entirely his call.
“I’m responsible for putting myself out there by the way for people talking about the medicos,” Petracca wrote on a Melbourne Instagram post.
In a statement last Tuesday afternoon, Melbourne said Petracca’s pain “increased at half-time” and, “despite assessing relatively well”, he was only sent to hospital as a precaution.
“Obviously, Christian’s health is the number one priority for us at the moment,” Dees footy boss Alan Richardson said.
“The next few weeks will be crucial, and we’ll be monitoring his progress closely to make sure he heals properly and fully.
“He’s obviously an extremely important player for the team, but his health and recovery are our top priorities right now.”
Sign up to the 7NEWS app here – the news you want, when you need it. Download now, for free.