Melbourne star Christian Petracca has had his attack on the football questioned by St Kilda icon Nick Riewoldt during Melbourne's 25-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.
The Demons midfielder - who was also involved in an incident with team-mate Clayton Oliver after the siren - chose not to go for a mark running back with the flight during the second quarter at Adelaide Oval.
Petracca's decision to avoid putting his body in danger comes after the 29-year-old suffered a near-death injury in 2024, sustaining lacerated spleen, a punctured lung, and four broken ribs after a collision against Collingwood.
However, during Channel 7's match broadcast, Riewoldt pointed out that the play from Petracca was something he wouldn't have done in the past.
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After main caller Alister Nicholson immediately pointed out Petracca's decision to not go for the mark, Riewoldt elaborated further on the Melbourne gun's choice to avoid body contact.
"It's become a bit of a theme for Christian this year," Riewoldt said.
"We all understand there would be some level of nervousness based on what happened last year on King's Birthday.
"But we have seen that a bit from him this year, which we hadn't seen throughout his career.
"Just not committing to the contest in those situations."
Fellow commentator Kane Cornes then asked Riewoldt if he believed Petracca was playing 'tentative at times'.
Riewoldt replied: "I think that was another opportunity to go, to mark the footy, we had just seen Steven May do it (go back with the flight) at the other end of the ground."
"We have seen him [put his body on the line]. He is absolutely capable.
"I did say he is coming from a really serious issue with his body, where he did put it on the line and paid the price - so you can understand.
"But I think there is a difference with how he is attacking the footy at times this year."
After the match, Petracca and team-mate Oliver were involved in a heated discussion on the broadcast which was ultimately broken up by Ed Langdon.