Ruckman Todd Goldstein, who remained in Melbourne to be with partner Kirsty, who is about to give birth to their first child, said Petrie was recovering well in his bid to overcome three foot fractures.
"From what I've heard from the coaches he's running really well and he's very eager to get back into it," Goldstein told afl.com.au.
"He's moving really well and gliding across the track.
"I imagine he'll be right to start with the boys when they get back. I'm not 100 per cent sure but he's getting close to that. After Christmas I'm sure he'll be a main part of the group again."
Goldstein, 22, is relishing the opportunity to spend time with Petrie and other experienced heads Brent Harvey and Brady Rawlings, who were also exempt from the Utah training camp.
He said it was expected Petrie would spend most of his time in attack next year as he comes back from the horror run he endured this season, in which he played just two games.
"Once his body is right, I imagine his role will mainly be about easing back into things so he doesn't do any more damage," Goldstein said.
"After that, I don't think you'll be able hold him back. After missing a whole year, he's very keen to get into it and he's a very vital player for us so it will be good to get him back.
"He'll be a big difference for us. We were all hoping for a big year from him last year and to lose him so early and for so long, it did hurt."
Goldstein said he had drawn plenty of confidence from his breakout 2010 season in which he played 21 of 22 games and stepped up in the side's ruck department.
He also said he looked forward to continuing his partnership with Hamish McIntosh in 2011, but wasn't looking to pinch the No.1 big man spot from his 26-year-old teammate.
"I would have liked to have played 22 [games] but the calf held me back," he said.
"I started to feel comfortable and like I deserved to be there with a few good games. I'm feeling good now and I've just got to build on it.
"We're not really looking at who's No.1 and who's No.2. If we can both share the load and do 50-50, it's going to help the team. We're more of a partnership."
Goldstein said he was training hard at Arden Street while his teammates were away and expected to be on a par with them fitness-wise when they returned.
