Petrie happy to have a kick

By David Sutherland

DREW Petrie has been reminded a few times recently of the chance of fate that led him to the office of the Premier of Victoria John Brumby.

“A few people have pointed it out to me,” he says with a smile. “But it’s just a coincidence really.”

The coincidence in question is that this weekend Petrie celebrates his 150th game of senior footy at the same time as the AFL celebrates 150 years of Australian football.

So of course it made perfect sense for Petrie to turn up at John Brumby’s office to pose for a photo to promote today's Kick Around Australia Day.

“I think encouraging people to have a kick of the footy is a great idea,” he says.
“We’ll be kicking a footy anyway as part of our usual routine, but it’s great that people who work in offices and all the kids at school will be getting out there having a kick.”

Petrie believes that the AFL’s 150 years celebrations have been an effective way to stimulate interest in the game and to educate the public about some of football’s history.

“It’s been great just learning a bit about the history that we didn’t know before,” he says.  

Recruited from the Ballarat Swans, Petrie has been a stalwart for the Roos’ since his debut in 2001. At 197 centimetres and 105 kilograms he has played predominantly as a key forward or backman, but his contributions in the ruck as a pinch hitter have over the years also been important. He’s an excellent mark, and a reliable kick.

He kicked 38 goals last year but in 2008 his form has gone up another notch. Playing mainly as a ruckman his efforts have mirrored that of his team over the past month or so. That is, Petrie has been on fire, and North has been winning.

“When the side’s going well it helps with your individual form,” he says, “but when the whole side’s not in such good form it’s a lot harder to get a kick.” 

Except for today of course, when getting a kick should be easy for anyone