Drew Petrie is confident a delayed start to the pre-season won’t affect his output in 2015, and could in fact give him an advantage.
The 32-year-old underwent ankle surgery at the end of last year, only returning to full training on in January. But he hasn’t missed a beat since.
“15th pre-season just gone, so fitness was never going to be an issue,” Petrie said on the AFL Exchange podcast.
“I think if I’d missed eight or ten weeks of pre-season, then you’d start to worry. I missed four.”
Petrie said the additional time on the sidelines could prove beneficial at the tail end of the season, especially as he comes towards the twilight of his career.
“In that four weeks (out of the main group) I was still able to do a lot of cross-training and my body’s freshened up a bit.
“You could say it’s four less weeks of running that I’ve had to do, which will freshen up someone who has 14 seasons, and 15 pre-seasons under their belt.”
PRESS PLAY above to listen to the Petrie audio
Petrie will qualify for AFL Life Membership by lining up against the Crows on Sunday, having amassed 300 games across pre-season, home and away, finals and International Rules’ matches.
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The vice-captain said he is keen to hit the ground running.
“I want to play 80 per cent plus (game-time).
“I think this time of year every footballer is fit generally, but in the next few NAB Challenge games you want to get footy fit.
“You want be used to getting knocked to the ground, having to get up, having to chase a bloke, tackle a guy, take a mark after running two kilometres, your heart’s pumping at a million miles an hour and trying to kick a goal under the pressure of the game.”
Petrie said North will use the matches against Adelaide, Hawthorn and building block as a dress rehearsal for the home and away season.
“I know Brad’s keen to have our best 22 play as much of this NAB Challenge series together, so we can get used to playing in the same side together,” he added.
“With the addition of (Shaun) Higgins and (Jarrad) Waite, throw Daniel Wells who missed most of last year back in the mix; he (Scott) wants to get the best 22 on the park as soon as he can so we can start to gel and work out how each other play.”
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Petrie will line up alongside former Blue Jarrad Waite for the first time at Port Lincoln, with Ben Brown and Majak Daw the other key-forwards in the Roos’ 29-man squad.
Sunday's match against Adelaide will now be streamed live on NMFC.com.au and the NMFC app. Tune in from 4.40pm for live coverage, as well as a live chat for discussion with like-minded NMFC fans.
Following the game, NMFC.com.au will provide highlights and media conferences.
