North Melbourne has received a major boost with vice-captain Drew Petrie named to make his long awaited return to football.
After two months out after surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, the 27 year-old will play against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.
After two months out after surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, the 27 year-old will play against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.
“It’s really exciting to finally be playing after such a frustrating time on the sidelines,” Petrie told kangaroos.com.au.
“I was hoping to be back for round 9 last week but needed that extra time to get some more conditioning and really test out the foot on the training track.”
The number 20 was still in a moon boot at the end of April, but has made rapid comeback due to some tough hours in the gym during rehabilitation.
“Our medical staff along with the strength and rehabilitation guys have been amazing in the way they’ve treated me. I have full confidence in my foot and am looking forward to hitting the ground running against the Dockers.”
Petrie is just one tall coming back into the team with ruckman Hamish McIntosh and forward David Hale also returning. For once, the Dockers won’t have the only height advantage with Aaron Sandilands out on the field.
“It will be great to play alongside David Hale for the first time this year. We have always trained well together and hopefully we can do enough damage on the scoreboard to help us get over the line,” Petrie added.
McIntosh has spent the past two weeks out with an injured shoulder and will provide some relief for fellow big man Todd Goldstein who's been forced to carry the load.
Hale's experience in attack could prove vital to North's chances. With 17 goals in eight games this season, he will pair with second-gamer Nathan O'Keefe as coach Brad Scott searches for the right mix up forward.
Brayden Norris will hope to become North's third debutant in 2010. His amazing endurance, which saw him equal the record for the beep test at draft camp, could be a huge benefit over the wide open spaces at Subiaco.
Three players are still to be taken out of the 25 man squad, but it's a squad Daniel Wells won't be a part of, he's been ruled out with a groin injury and will be sorely missed following a strong start to the season.
B: M.Firrito 11 S.Thompson 16 B.Rawlings 3
HB: N.Grima 17 L.Hansen 6 D.Pratt 30
C: J.Ziebell 7 B.Cunnington 10 R.Bastinac 28
HF: S.Wright 19 D.Hale 31 B.Harvey 29
F: N.O'Keefe 23 D.Petrie 20 L.Thomas 12
R: H.McIntosh 1 A.Swallow 9 L.Greenwood 24
INT FROM: J.Smith 18 T.Goldstein 22 A.Edwards 27 M.Campbell 33 B. Norris 37 L.Harding 39 S.McMahon 42
In: D.Petrie, D.Hale, H.McIntosh, B. Norris
Out: D.Wells (groin)
