Petrie’s blinder was no surprise

AFL: 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 – and 15th for West Coast – at the Adelaide Oval last weekend.

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

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

“I always knew I was capable of playing another season of footy otherwise I would not have come across to Perth,” said Petrie, who made his debut for the Kangaroos in 2001.

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

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

But he’s not done yet. After enjoying the emotion and excitement of the win in Adelaide, Petrie and the Eagles quickly turned their attention to their assignment against the Giants – but he is refusing to let his mind dream about what could happen if the Eagles’ run continues.

“If you start thinking too far ahead you will get caught out, I’ve learned that across my career,” he said.

“That’s up for external people and supporters to dare to dream. But us as players, we are purely focused on the Giants this week.”