Cornes: Petracca-Suns tension is "pathetic" and "club is a mess"

The reported level of tension between Christian Petracca and the Gold Coast has sparked criticism of both player and club from Kane Cornes who says the team has gone form finals hopefuls to a “complete mess”.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reported this week that the first year of a four-year deal for the former Demon has not worked and all is not well in the arrangement, but he stopped short of suggesting that the 30-year-old would be looking for an exit.

Petracca started the season in blistering form – as did the entire Suns outfit – with many tipping them for the eight and to go a step further than their massive upset against Freo in the 2025 finals series.

But their form tapered out in the second half with reports of unease between players and leadership emerging.

“There is a level of tension between club and player,” Sam Edmund said on SEN’s Locked In. “He hasn’t quite worked and that obvious to see.

“Whether if gets to the stage they suggest they part ways – that is highly unlikely, but not all is well between Petracca and Gold Coast.”

Locked In host Cornes was less than impressed by the latest developments saying it was time for both club and player to make things work.

“This was your last chance, that’s your lot mate,” he said. “No one else is going to take you. Sort it out.

“He got four years, sort it out Gold Coast and Christian.”

Petracca cost the Gold Coast a fortune last trade period handing Melbourne picks 7, 8 and 37 for the 2025 draft, a future first-round selection for 2026, and a 2027 third-round selection.

Gold Coast in return received Petracca, two picks (24 and 28) and a second-round selection for this year’s draft.

When it was suggested that the arrival Scott Pendlebury could assist in settling Petracca, Cornes added: “Why do these players need an outside source to get the into the right head space, how pathetic.

“Take some accountability of your own career, you’re being paid well, go try and be the Gold Coast first premiership player.

“The place clearly is a complete mess. I’m interested to see if Anderson and Rowell get out.”