Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has described Christian Petracca's latest off-field setback as a "shattering" blow, with the sidelined star forced to undergo surgery to remove his appendix.
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Already ruled out of action for the rest of the AFL season, Petracca was admitted to hospital on Saturday with appendicitis.
The 28-year-old appeared in good spirits, with his girlfriend Bella Beischer posting a photo of the premiership star in hospital with the caption "still smiling".
"It's shattering for 'Trac' and the family," Goodwin said after the Demons' 17.10 (112) to 8.10 (58) win over West Coast on Sunday.
"He's had a horrible time in the last three or four weeks and we're feeling for him.
"He's a much-loved person at our footy club, and his family, and we'll support them."
Melbourne officials indicated Petracca's illness was unrelated to the injuries he sustained when he was crunched by an accidental knee from Collingwood captain Darcy Moore on June 10.
Petracca suffered a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and four broken ribs from the collision.
"It's two operations in a pretty short amount of time," Goodwin said.
"He'll have the appendix out today and we just want to see him happy and healthy again."
Goodwin felt the manner of Melbourne's comprehensive defeat over West Coast would have pleased Petracca.
"Hopefully as a team we were able to put a smile on his face," Goodwin said.
"He would've loved some of that contest work but our thoughts are with him first and obviously his family as well.
"We want to make sure we get him back really healthy."
Melbourne were criticised for letting Petracca back onto the field after his collision with Moore, but fiercely defended their medical staff in the aftermath.
Petracca and coach Simon Goodwin both publicly went in to bat for club doctors, who were cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL'.
Australian Associated Press
