Gone are the days where opposition forwards can prepare for a backline depleted of size and experience. Petrie will provide a much-needed anchor, especially against sides that seek to stretch North with taller targets.
The 26-year-old shouldered ruck duties after Hamish McIntosh injured his knee in round 12, but McIntosh is expected to figure strongly from round one after thriving over the summer.
Add the success of David Hale at full-forward and an expected role for 2006 draftee Lachlan Hansen at centre half-forward, and Petrie is free for a permanent post in defence.
"A couple of time last year we struggled against teams that had key position players," Pratt said. "(But) we’ve got Drew coming back there now.
"With Hamish going down he had to play forward and play in the ruck, but when we’ve got Drew down there it makes a massive difference because he’s so good overhead."
Michael Firrito (105 games), Josh Gibson (43) and Shannon Watt (152), so often required to juggle the key positions, have also enjoyed uninterrupted pre-seasons while Pratt has rebounded from major surgery for a shoulder injury he carried for most of 2008.
It further bolsters North's versatility, evident last year with re-invented forward Leigh Harding and second-year player Gavin Urquhart very effective from half-back.
"In the past, opposition sides would have thought they could get hold of us," Pratt said. "Gibbo had only played probably 20 games before last year and with Gav Urquhart and even Jesse Smith, he's only played about 30 games.”
Smith and Scott Thompson will push for regular opportunities too, with Smith overcoming ankle and hamstring woes and Thompson benefitting from a second summer at Arden Street.
Thompson played six games in his first year but has added size and strength so he can be be considered at full-back, taking some pressure off Firrito and Gibson.
"In the backline we've got a lot of guys who are heading into their fifth and sixth seasons and are in their mid-20s so it’s pretty exciting," Pratt said. "We’re getting pretty settled back there and we’ve got a couple of big guys coming through.
"Nathan Grima, who’s coming back from a knee reco, and Jesse Smith look like they’ll be fit.
"Scott Thompson's played well in the last few practice matches so it's all positive at the minute."
