Pavlich is perhaps the more decorated of the two with five best and fairests and five All-Australian’s making him the greatest ever Docker, but internally and particularly in the last couple of years from afar, North’s vice-captain has become one of the most dangerous players in the game.
When Petrie was named All-Australian in 2011, it was the ultimate achievement for a player who’s been so consistent for 12 seasons, and this year is no exception.
Comparing their statistics makes for interesting reading.
Pavlich has kicked 60 goals to Petrie’s 55, but the latter pulls in more contested marks 43 to 31 and more marks inside 50 with 56 to 49. Pavlich finds more of the ball though, often playing further up the ground averaging 18.1 possessions to Petrie’s 12.9.
While these numbers are evidence of their importance to their teams, it’s these power forwards’ scoring power that paints the brightest picture. Pavlich has kicked a remarkable 23 percent of all the Dockers’ goals so far this year while Petrie is responsible for 16 percent of North’s.
A look at recent games and the statistics are even more significant. In the past six weeks, both have kicked 26 goals with Petrie’s haul including two bags of 7.
For North, keeping Pavlich quiet may go a long way towards winning the game. In Fremantle’s 12 wins, he’s averaged almost 4 goals a game. In its losses, its less than 2. The same goes for Petrie with 42 goals in 13 wins at an average of more than 3, with 13 goals in 7 losses at less than 2 a game.
With that in mind, too much focus on either Pavlich or Petrie could come at a price. Chris Mayne and Lindsay Thomas have booted 33 goals for their respective sides this season. The likes of Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters are dangerous at the fall of the ball for Fremantle while Robbie Tarrant and Lachie Hansen loom large for the Kangaroos. Brent Harvey and Kieran Harper will also pounce at any opportunities around the big sticks and Cruize Garlett has also chimed in with 4 goals in three matches.
