NORTH Melbourne forward Drew Petrie will not be offered a new contract unless he can quickly turn his form around, Kangaroos great Wayne Carey says.
Petrie presented well in the Saturday's 28-point loss to Port Adelaide, but was kept goalless for the second straight week – and fifth time this season.
The 33-year-old ended the clash against the Power with two behinds after missing crucial set shots in the third quarter by a considerable margin.
Carey, a dual Kangaroos premiership captain, said Petrie's career was in serious doubt based on his recent performances.
"I think definitely Drew Petrie won't go on. I wouldn't have thought so off the back of this year," Carey told Channel Seven on Monday night.
"Clearly he's got six games to prove everyone wrong, and also hopefully a couple of finals, but right now you'd be saying he definitely won't be going on."
Carey's call comes after Fairfax Media reported on Monday evening that Petrie had opted to end all his media appearances – which included weekly commitments at radio station RSN and Fox Sports – in a bid to concentrate on his on-field matters.
Petrie, who has featured in all 16 matches this season and kicked 19 goals, is on track to register his lowest goalkicking tally since 2009 (27 majors).
The 309-gamer is out of contract at season's end but has expressed his desire to play on again next year in what would be his 17th season at the elite level.
Last week, coach Brad Scott again defended Petrie's form, saying he had "not for one second" contemplated dropping the spearhead.
Meanwhile, Carey urged the Kangaroos coach to "mix the team up" and make "brave" choices at selection by playing Petrie in the ruck, or resting All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein if he was below full fitness.
"He's got to make some tough decisions – rest Goldstein, put Petrie either into the ruck … or give Petrie a run in the seconds (with VFL affiliate Werribee) to get some form," Carey said.
"Majak Daw come in; give him a little bit of game time in the ruck.
"He's got to be brave right now and he's got to do it now because in two or three weeks, it's too late."
Petrie received a Logan Austin knee in a contest late in the third term against the Power, but battled through the final quarter with a corked right thigh.
Goldstein's form, meanwhile, has dipped since picking up a right knee complaint against the Sydney Swans in round 10.