It's set to be an emotion-charged encounter between North and West Coast on Sunday for the season-opener with former Kangaroo Drew Petrie declared a certain starter.
Eagles' coach Adam Simpson confirmed the 34-year-old will be picked and will battle ex-teammate Todd Goldstein in the ruck.
With a raft of injuries including Nic Naitanui (ACL) and Scott Lycett (PCL), West Coast's move to throw Petrie a lifeline later last year has proved a wise one.
"So we'll go in with Drew," Simpson told Channel Seven in Perth.
"He'll play his first game for the club on the weekend."
Petrie will partner with Nathan Vardy in the ruck, with North yet to confirm whether Braydon Pruess or Majak Daw will support Goldstein.
"It's been unfortunate for us with Scott [Lycett] coming back from his knee and hurting his shoulder and then obviously Jonathan Giles hurting his thumb during pre-season … it's just not quite ready yet," Simpson said.
Petrie booted 428 goals from 316 games for North before being de-listed last season.
He joined the Eagles in last year's rookie draft and will be upgraded to the senior list this week.
