Petrie hopes to return

WEST Coast veteran Drew Petrie ( pictured) is set to return from a hand injury next week, but is unsure whether he does so via the senior team or through the WAFL.

Petrie has been sidelined since the side’s Round 1 game against his former team North Melbourne due to a fractured hand, but is on track in his recovery.

The 34-year-old injured his hand in the early moments of the clash, but bravely soldiered on to finish out the victory – only to miss the next seven weeks.

However, Petrie said he was edging closer to a return.

“Hopefully I’m playing next week,” Petrie said.

“I’ll train all this week. I haven’t done a full session since the injury, so I need to make sure the coaches and the fitness staff see me do that.

“I’ll need to mark and tackle and do all of those tough things in a game that are required. “I’m not sure whether it’s in the seniors or at East Perth, I’ll just be happy pulling on a footy jumper next week and playing.”

West Coast improved its record to 6-2 on the season with an impressive eight-point win over reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

And while Petrie said he was rapt with the result, he did concede it would make his job in returning straight to the seniors a little bit tougher.

“The guys were great last night and had a win, so it’s always hard to press for a spot after missing seven games and also after a win,” Petrie said.