Petrie, Pavlich fit for AFL prelims

North Melbourne appear to have dodged a bullet with key forward Drew Petrie escaping serious injury after copping a knock to a knee against Sydney.

And with preliminary finals weekend looming, Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has also declared he is injury-free despite sporting a moon boot in the days after the Dockers’ qualifying final win.

Petrie, 32, went to ground in a marking contest before making his way to the bench, sparking fears he may have suffered a serious injury to his right knee.

“It was just a knock just above the knee,” Petrie told Channel Seven on Sunday.

“I don’t think it’s anything more that a corkie.

“I was sort of rolling around like a princess only having a corked leg but then I’ve had a couple of knocks throughout the night on it, I keep getting them in the same spot.

“I’ll have a scan just to be sure, but the docs and physios tested me last night and said there’s no structural damage, it’s just maybe a bit of bruising.”

Key defender Robbie Tarrant pulled out of the game after suffering some groin soreness in the warm-up at ANZ Stadium but he is expected to be fit to take on West Coast at Subiaco on Saturday night.

The Eagles have had injury issues of their own during the finals series, with Matt Priddis (thigh) and Chris Masten (hamstring) missing their side’s qualifying final win over Hawthorn but both are back running and in the frame for selection.

Fremantle will host Hawthorn on Friday night and Pavlich dismissed reports he was battling a calf injury.

“It was one of those precautionary things,” Pavlich said of wearing a moon boot.

“As soon as we got the victory in that qualifying final against Sydney they made sure they put a few guys in cotton wool.

“I was fine and walking around – it was just one of those things where they put you in cotton wool and make sure you’re ready for training.”

Superstar teammate Nat Fyfe has struggled with a leg injury late in the season and was seen on crutches after the qualifying final in Perth but Pavlich said that was also a precautionary move.

“Nathan came through the game really well – probably better than he had previously,” Pavlich said.

“He’d been a bit sore leading into the last part of the year but he pulled up really well.”

Hawks forward Jack Gunston missed his side’s 74-point thumping of Adelaide with an ankle injury and remains in doubt for the clash against Freo.

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