Petrie ready to confront Kangaroos

Mar 24, 2017 - 4:56 AM West Coast coach Adam Simpson is confident Drew Petrie will overcome a bout of nerves to produce a strong effort in the ruck against his former side North Melbourne on Sunday.

Petrie was axed by North Melbourne at the end of last season but his AFL career was revived via a lifeline on West Coast's rookie list.

And the fixturing gods have given Petrie an early crack against the side that let him go, albeit in a vastly different role.

Petrie has spent the majority of his 316-game career in the forward line, booting 428 goals in the process.

But with Eagles duo Nic Naitanui (knee) and Scott Lycett (shoulder) sidelined, Petrie will be asked to play a key role in the ruck alongside Nathan Vardy.

Simpson is confident he'll handle the occasion - and the new role - well.

"I'm sure he'll have nerves," Simpson said ahead of the Etihad Stadium clash.

"You have nerves right up until you're last game, no matter who you play, especially round one.

"This will be a little bit different but he'll be ok."

Vardy and Petrie are more comfortable in the forward line, meaning the Eagles are almost certain to lose the hit-out battle against North Melbourne's All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein.

But West Coast's powerful midfield have the capability to overcome any deficiencies in the ruck.

The addition of former Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell adds further class to the engine room, with fellow Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff also key cogs.

Simpson played alongside Petrie for nine years at North Melbourne and he knows first-hand the veteran won't be able to produce miracles in the ruck.

It's a situation Simpson is more than comfortable with.

"He's pretty basic. He has a go and he follows up. As long as he brings that, we'll be okay," Simpson said.

Simpson said Naitanui's leg injury last season meant the midfield group had figured out ways to cope at the stoppages without a dominant ruckman.

North Melbourne are tipped to slide out of finals calculations this season following last year's brutal list cleanout.

Petrie, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Brent Harvey are no longer at the club, with the Kangaroos taking a punt on youth in a bid to develop into a premiership outfit.

Source: AAP