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<\/p>\nThe Demons reaped selections seven, eight and 37 in this year\u2019s national draft and the Suns\u2019 first-round pick next year as part of the Petracca trade.<\/p>\n
Petracca said he and Oliver, now with GWS, had been in regular contact through the trade period.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say [it\u2019s] goodbye because, at the end of the day, we are still close friends. We\u2019ll always remain close,\u201d Petracca said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kept in contact pretty much every day through this trade period. I will definitely miss him, for sure. I will miss all my teammates, my ex-teammates, but that\u2019s footy. But our friendships run deeper than football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Petracca played 212 games in 11 seasons for the Demons, but was keen to refresh despite having four years remaining on his current contract.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Those were the days: Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are teammates no more.Credit: AAP<\/p>\n
He said he had been impressed by Suns coach Damien Hardwick\u2019s pitch to him, while assistant coach Shaun Grigg outlined what Petracca\u2019s role in the side would be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s pretty similar to what I played in the past, that mid, forward role,\u201d Petracca said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy when you look at some of my teammates that are going to be in the midfield with me \u2013 Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller as well \u2026 hopefully, I can bring something to them, but also I can learn off them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Petracca said he looked forward to having the flashy Bailey Humphrey as his teammate, the latter having met with King in Melbourne during the trade period. The Suns refused to even consider trading the former Gippsland gun.<\/p>\n
The 2021 Norm Smith medallist revealed he had been in contact with Humphrey for \u201cthree or four years\u201d after admiring his draft-year highlights.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m incredibly excited to work with someone like him. He reminds me of myself when I was at that age, raw, but he came fourth in the best and fairest, which is pretty scary considering how many more levels he can go to,\u201d Petracca said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a phone call the other day about his role and how excited I am to play with him and learn off him about that role and how explosive he is. The culture of the Suns is why I came here, too. What they\u2019re building is special.\u201d<\/p>\n