The Kangaroos' stand-in skipper expects a much-improved performance in the season proper than the club's patchy pre-season – which included two underwhelming NAB Challenge losses to Carlton and Hawthorn and a win over Geelong in a practice match last start.
"We are ready, the first two NAB games were disappointing we were well below what we expect, in saying that we were still in a pretty heavy training phase through pre-season," Petrie said.
"Since those two NAB games the training has tapered off a bit and it's been about preparing for the season proper now.
"We've had a chance to rest in the last couple of weeks and we'll be ready for Friday night."
Petrie says drug sledging off-limits against Dons
The 197cm key forward says external expectations on the Roos, some of which have them finishing in the top four, haven't affected the playing group.
"I suppose it's a compliment in a way that football people expect us to go well, given how they analyse and have a look at our list," Petrie said.
"External expectations haven't filtered internally too much. We know that we're in our fifth season under Brad (Scott) and it's about time, given (how much) better we played last year, it's about time we do take another step again.
"We're definitely a better team than we were last year, but there's 17 other clubs out there who think that they're better too. Hopefully we've improved more than the others."
Petrie will once again lead the Roos into battle in the absence of Andrew Swallow, who remains five to eight weeks away from returning from a ruptured left Achilles tendon that he suffered in round 18 last season.
Petrie has regularly discussed the leadership role with Swallow in the week leading into round one.
"Andrew still has most say, I would much rather have him out there and him be captain, but that's not the case at the moment," Petrie said.
"So throughout the week he's still the captain of the footy club at the moment, and I'm just the captain on game day."
North has confirmed prized father-son selection Luke McDonald will make his debut in round one, and Petrie believes the son of club stalwart Donald is well prepared for AFL football after playing against men last season for Werribee in the VFL.
Key defender Joel Tippett and ruckman Dan Currie are also in the mix for their first games in the blue and white.
Tippett, who has two games' senior experience for the Gold Coast, was elevated off the rookie list this week after an impressive pre-season, replacing Tom Curran (foot) who is on the long-term injury list.
Currie is a strong possibility to play as the Roos' third tall forward and back-up ruckman to Todd Goldstein.
North holds a slender 4-3 win-loss advantage over the Bombers since 2008, which includes a 45-point win at Etihad Stadium in round 21 last season.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
The 197cm key forward says external expectations on the Roos, some of which have them finishing in the top four, haven't affected the playing group.
"I suppose it's a compliment in a way that football people expect us to go well, given how they analyse and have a look at our list," Petrie said.
"External expectations haven't filtered internally too much. We know that we're in our fifth season under Brad (Scott) and it's about time, given (how much) better we played last year, it's about time we do take another step again.
"We're definitely a better team than we were last year, but there's 17 other clubs out there who think that they're better too. Hopefully we've improved more than the others."
Petrie will once again lead the Roos into battle in the absence of Andrew Swallow, who remains five to eight weeks away from returning from a ruptured left Achilles tendon that he suffered in round 18 last season.
Petrie has regularly discussed the leadership role with Swallow in the week leading into round one.
"Andrew still has most say, I would much rather have him out there and him be captain, but that's not the case at the moment," Petrie said.
"So throughout the week he's still the captain of the footy club at the moment, and I'm just the captain on game day."
North has confirmed prized father-son selection Luke McDonald will make his debut in round one, and Petrie believes the son of club stalwart Donald is well prepared for AFL football after playing against men last season for Werribee in the VFL.
Key defender Joel Tippett and ruckman Dan Currie are also in the mix for their first games in the blue and white.
Tippett, who has two games' senior experience for the Gold Coast, was elevated off the rookie list this week after an impressive pre-season, replacing Tom Curran (foot) who is on the long-term injury list.
Currie is a strong possibility to play as the Roos' third tall forward and back-up ruckman to Todd Goldstein.
North holds a slender 4-3 win-loss advantage over the Bombers since 2008, which includes a 45-point win at Etihad Stadium in round 21 last season.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
