It’s a frequent line you’ll hear from those at Arden Street – the performance of the forwards as a unit is more important than the individuals.

It’s a mantra Drew Petrie is confident in, pointing to the team’s efforts so far in 2016.

“Ben Brown and (Jarrad) Waite have had outstanding seasons so far, we’re 10-1, so I’m not getting too caught up in my own form,” Petrie told AFL 360.

Waite (27 goals) and Brown (20 goals) both provide unique match-up challenges for opposition defences; the former with his athleticism and the latter with his pure reach.

“When Ben’s on his direct opponent one-on-one, or Waitey’s one-on-one with his direct opponent, why should I go and drag my opponent into the contest and make it a two-on-two?

“I’ll let those guys do their thing and I’m happy to sit back and watch them kick all the goals,” Petrie explained.

But that hasn’t stopped Petrie having an impact himself – the veteran played a key role in North’s win over Richmond.

Nevertheless, he admits he did go through a quiet patch leading up.

“I’ve probably had a quiet month just gone, where I wasn’t marking the footy,” Petrie said.

“Heath Grundy took a few intercept marks on me against Sydney two Friday nights ago.

“That’s a real no-no from a forward’s point of view, but I was better on the weekend.”