For much of his career, Drew Petrie has refused to take the credit for his football accolades.

One of the more modest players in the competition, Petrie prefers to pile praise on others; he’s the true team player.

But this week, his true impact has been made clear.

Playing 300 games is a remarkable feat, and those around North’s number 20 couldn’t be happier for him.

"As a young kid I really looked up to Drew. I still do," Scott Thompson told AAP.

"When I first met him, what stood out what his training ethic. He trains so hard and is always trying to drive everyone.

"I kind of tried to base myself on him; he's been such a great role model for me.

"He's just a terrific person, on and off the field."

Michael Firrito has played alongside Petrie for 14 seasons, and said his impact around Arden St can’t be underestimated.

"He really epitomises everything we're about. He's almost Mr Perfect," Firrito said.

"Not only his work rate at training but just the person he is, he's a gentleman.

"On family days or clinics he will always be the first one there and the last to leave. He'll sign autographs until there's no more kids left. He always wants to have a chat.

"So when any young guys come into the footy club, they see Drew and know that's the way to go about it."

On the field, Petrie is the ultimate competitor, albeit with a little case of white line fever.

"I'd try to hold him and stuff. He'd get very angry,” Thompson said of his intra-club battles with Petrie in his early days at the club.

"It was all a good learning curve, he just made me a better player."

Everything Petrie does is with the aim to make himself and his teammates better. The ultimate goal - premiership glory.

"People like Drew are why we're a great footy club. Before him it was Glenn Archer, Anthony Stevens and those sort of blokes," Firrito said.

"Drewy has probably seen what they do and almost exceeded it."