Melbourne has defended the long contracts given to stars Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca and said they would both be welcomed back if potential trades fall through.

Petracca has expressed interest in joining Gold Coast Suns while Oliver met with GWS before late last week.

Collingwood also expressed an interest uni Oliver as the official AFL trade period opened on Monday.

Petracca and Oliver, both best and fairest winners who propelled Melbourne to a drought-breaking premiership in 2021, are on lucrative and long-term deals.

Oliver is tied to the Demons for another five seasons on a deal worth in excess of $1m a season, and Melbourne could pay some of the annually should be move to another club.

Petracca is contracted for a further four years, also on a seven-figure deal.

Melbou

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