Everything old is new again for reborn Eagle

DON’T let anyone tell you there’s nothing new in football – not after last week.

Drew Petrie certainly won’t try after the veteran discovered a new type of joy in his 331st AFL game – 15th for West Coast – at Adelaide Oval last Saturday night.

Petrie wound back the clock against Port Adelaide in that instantly famous after-the-siren, extra-time elimination final win.

In a performance that coach and former North Melbourne teammate Adam Simpson described as “exceptional”, Petrie kicked two goals, had 15 disposals, seven marks and 18 hit- outs, working impressively in tandem with Nathan Vardy against All-Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder.

There was uncertainty about his future after walking out of Arden St last year but Petrie said he knew he had good football left in him.

“I always knew I was capable of another season of footy otherwise I would not have come across to Perth,’’ said Petrie, who made a 2001 debut.

“I’m not surprised that I can still keep up ... I was convinced I still had more to offer.’’

The Power win helped erase the heartache of his finals farewell for North in a 62-point elimination final thrashing at the hands of Adelaide last year.