Drew Petrie believes it rests on the players’ shoulders to maintain the standards in the absence of Brad Scott.

The North Melbourne coach is set to miss at least the next four weeks following back surgery, with senior assistant Darren Crocker taking the reins.

Petrie said news of Scott’s surgery had shocked the players.

“That sort of flattened the group even more so (after the loss to Collingwood),” he told NMFC.com.au.

“But in saying that it gives everyone a chance to stand up, and to man up and to show what we are all capable of coming off a bad loss, and coming off the fact that the coach isn’t going to be around for the next three or four weeks.”

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Scott will no doubt be missed around Arden Street, but the vice-captain says it provides an opportunity for others to step up.

“The assistant coaches deliver a lot of what we see in meetings and they’re heavily involved in training as well, so it’s not as if Brad (Scott) is the only coaching voice we hear week-to-week. But it’s always good having the coach around, there’s no mistake about that.

“His presence in the room or on the training track really helps set the tone and bring standards up, that’s just the way it is.

“With him not being here we’ve just got to make sure those standards are just as high as they would be if he was here. That responsibility falls on the players and the assistant coaches as well.”

Crocker oversaw North during a ten-week spell in 2009, following the departure of Dean Laidley.

“It was great having Crock as interim coach back then and he’ll do a terrific job now as well,” Petrie said.

“He’ll still be instructed a little bit by Brad. We’ve had our game plan set and all the assistant coaches know what Brad expects through training and in preparation and game day.

“Nothing really changes. It will just be a different voice – all the messaging and game plan will stay the same.”