Max Gawn reveals the one thing he regrets saying to Christian Petracca as footy star bravely played on despite battling internal injuries: 'He was dying'

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Max Gawn says he has apologised to Christian Petracca after going hard on him while he was suffering frightening injuries.

Melbourne star Petracca is currently in isolation and recovering at home after suffering a Grade 5 lacerated spleen and other horrific internal injuries during the King's Birthday clash last week.

The midfielder played on despite suffering the injuries in the first quarter, and reports suggest his family are unhappy with how the footy club handled the situation.

Petracca originally took responsibility for playing on, but later deleted his social media post in which he made the revelation.

His decision to personally announce that his season was over also drew attention, with clubs typically taking the step to officially confirm the news.

Max Gawn has revealed the one thing he regrets saying to Christian Petracca

The Melbourne superstar was hospitalised with internal injuries suffered last week

And speaking on Triple M's Marty Sheargold Show, Gawn says he reached out to Petracca after giving him a spray during the defeat.

'He actually came out in the second quarter and he put in not the best effort I've seen (from) Trac (Petracca) ...,' Gawn began. 

'And I went and had a word to him ... and now there's real egg on my face. He was out there dying.' 

Gawn says he was embarrassed by his comments, in hindsight. 

'I was telling him to lift! I've apologised to him since,' he said. 

'To be fair, I've seen people with a cracked ribbed and they are in as much pain. I'm presuming it was very difficult to diagnose that it was a genuine internal injury like that.

'No one is allowed to see him (at the moment due to concerns around infection).

'He's going well. No one is allowed to see him because of his immune system – spleen related.

'All I know is we don't have him for a long time.

Gawn said he gave Petracca a spray, not aware of the pain he was in

'I daresay if we're in the pointy end – I'm talking prelim or grand final – it's going to be hard to say he can't play.'

Reports claim that Melbourne's football manager Alan Richardson attempted to see Petracca in hospital on the first night he was admitted but was denied entry to the patient's room.

'Obviously, Christian's health is the number one priority for us at the moment,' Richardson said.

'The next few weeks will be crucial, and we'll be monitoring his progress closely to make sure he heals properly and fully.

'He's obviously an extremely important player for the team, but his health and recovery are our top priorities right now.'