North Melbourne hero Drew Petrie says his team’s in career-best form under coach Brad Scott but they aren’t getting carried away after their heart-stopping AFL win over Richmond.
The Kangaroos’ tall forward booted five goals in the final term – part of a haul of seven – to steer his side to a four-point victory over the Tigers on Sunday.
The 29-year-old, speaking at the team’s recovery session on Monday, wanted to share the praise around to his teammates, saying his performance wouldn’t be possible if they didn’t do their jobs well.
“What I did doesn’t happen without what happens up the field,” he said.
“Our defenders have been fantastic all year, they’ve probably been the best part of the ground and our midfield were just unreal just to compete and put their heads over the ball.”
North Melbourne are in eighth position on the ladder on the back of their wins over Carlton and Richmond.
They next face battlers Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs but Petrie said they were far from secure with a finals berth.
“We’re a chance to make the eight but we’re also a chance to fall out pretty quickly because it’s so tight from seventh through to 12th,” he said.
“You can’t rest yet.”
Petrie believes the Kangaroos playing three tall forwards, with Lachie Hansen and Robbie Tarrant, was working a treat.
“Lachie and Robbie have had a huge impact. They’ve both kicked multiple goals in games as well so it stretches opposition defences when there’s three talls running around,” he said.
“The fitness of both is outstanding and they’ve both got good pace and good strength and the three of us are working well together.
“A lot of credit for what happened should go their way.”
Finishing ninth the past two seasons, Petrie felt they have served their apprenticeship and in their third season under Scott, were ready to step up.
“We’re in career-best form under Brad Scott,” he said.
“Finishing ninth in the last two years has probably showed we’re around the mark.
“This year it’s important we take that next step and finish in the top eight.
“We’ve got to keep it going, because if you drop two games you miss the finals.”