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DREW Petrie admits that whenever the thought of becoming North Melbourne’s next captain enters his head, he pushes it aside.

It’s an unusual way to deal with it, especially for a man who wants the job, but Petrie has come to the conclusion that if he’s meant to get it, he will.

The 26-year-old’s outlook may be encouraged by Adam Simpson vacating the post sooner than he expected or, like the observers, he can’t see who deserves it most.

It would mean holding out good friend Brent Harvey, popular clubman Brady Rawlings and a string of developing leaders including defender Daniel Pratt.

North is poised to unveil its replacement for Simpson within a fortnight, completing a thorough process that began with the input of players and staff last Monday and to be endorsed by Dean Laidley’s match committee, chief executive Eugene Arocca and chairman James Brayshaw.

But, as far as Petrie’s concerned, the outcome is in the lap of the gods.

“There's a few names thrown around and mine's one of them, but I haven't let myself think ahead of the position I'm in at the moment,” he told kangaroos.com.au.

“If I got the captaincy, I'd be absolutely rapt and honoured. It'd be great to lead a really amazing football club and a great bunch of players.

“Until the decision gets made, I don't think there's any point in stressing about it. There's a couple of other guys that are quite capable of doing the job as well. I'd support anyone 100 per cent who got the gig.”

It was Laidley who suggested during the season that Petrie had the qualities to skipper the Roos, after the big man showed he was ready to re-visit formal leadership responsibilities after struggling as a deputy vice-captain early in his career.

Petrie’s timing couldn’t have been better; a stirring influence on games matched by a similar impact on his teammates.

In signing a three-year contract in August, Petrie said Harvey would be the prime candidate when Simpson eventually relinquished the role.

But now, little more than three months on, he has every reason to want it for himself.

“There's a lot of responsibility involved but I'd love to do it and wouldn't hesitate in taking the job.”