Dubbed "the human cannonball" at West Lakes, the exciting small forward might face an uncertain future after coach Brenton Sanderson admitted a low interchange cap could spell trouble for Petrenko because endurance would be valued higher than intensity.
The 80-rotations-per-game cap during the NAB Cup drew criticism from some coaches and players, but AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said the AFL world had to get used to it.
But Petrenko, 23, said capping rotations went against the League's desire to speed the game up and could restrict some of the competition's most exciting players.
"I couldn't stand it if they capped the rotations really, especially at 80," Petrenko told AFL.com.au.
"I think it'd a bit odd considering they say they'd like to quicken the game up, then they're saying they want to slow it down - it's all a bit confusing to me.
"Players like Cyril Rioli and Lewis Jetta, the players that people go and watch footy to see, it might limit their impact and the excitement they bring to this game.
"Hopefully the cap isn't too low because players like myself will definitely struggle with it."
Petrenko's importance to the Crows is based around his defensive intensity in Adelaide's forward line - assistant coach Mark Bickley told him it "set the standard" for the club.
But the 178cm forward conceded he'd have to change to survive a low cap.
"Ever since I've been at Adelaide, building my endurance has always been my No.1 focus," he said.
"I suppose it would become even more of a focus because I'd desperately need to have a better level of it because it could cost me a spot in the team.
"It'd definitely change my game style which is probably something I'll have to get used to, but hopefully it's something that doesn't have to happen."
Petrenko played an important role in the Crows' 19-point win over the Brisbane Lions last weekend and kicked a beautiful final-term goal.
He said the forward line rediscovered its mojo against the Lions, having lacked chemistry in round one when the side lost convincingly to Essendon.
"Last year we seemed real tight and there was a real chemistry there," he said.
"It seemed like that was missing in the first round.
"As a forward group, we're like a team within a team and we spoke about getting back to working for each other after the loss to Essendon.
"On the weekend we were outstanding, it felt like we were back to our normal selves.
"We were all talking the whole game and the difference from the first game to the second was massive."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter; @AFL_Harry
