It’s a milestone just 211 men in the history of VFL/AFL football have achieved – only 18 of those are current players.
Drafted in 2000 (selection 23) from the North Ballarat Rebels, Petrie has been one of the most versatile and reliable players at Arden Street over the last decade.
His durability has been a feature; other than a long spell on the sidelines in 2010 with a foot injury, he’s gone virtually unhindered throughout his career.
The timeline:
2000: Drafted to North as an 18-year-old from TAC Cup team North Ballarat.
Of the draft class from that year, only Nick Riewoldt, Scott Thompson (Adelaide) and Kane Cornes have played more games. Shaun Burgoyne is set to play his 250th this week also.
Petrie just one of just 11 players still running around from the 2000 National Draft.
2001: Played his first game ironically against the team he supported as a kid, Essendon.
At just 18 he lined up alongside the likes of John Blakey, Glenn Archer, Leigh Colbert and Anthony Stevens, finishing with 5 possessions.
Petrie played a total of 9 games in his first season, the highlight 12 disposals and 16 hit-outs against Richmond in Round 6.
2002: As a 19 year-old, he first made his mark as a key-forward.
Three goals in the Round 14 clash of 2002 against the Saints had the football world talking about the emerging youngster.
He played the final 10 games of the season and made significant inroads in his development.
2003: Had his most consistent season yet and became a regular in the lineup, shifting between ruck and attack.
He booted 28 goals, trying to fill massive shoes following the departure of Wayne Carey and Corey McKernan just a couple of seasons earlier.
Petrie also polled the first Brownlow votes of his career with 12 disposals and 4 goals against Hawthorn in Round 7.
2004: Kicked 22 goals in 20 games in a tough year for the club. The highlight was a 14-mark haul against Port Adelaide in a 92-point thrashing in Round 8.
The Power lost just five games for the year on their way to the flag.
2005: After the departure of Mark Porter and Corey McKernan, Petrie and youngster David Hale were forced to step up and shoulder the ruck responsibilities.
He finished the season with 229 hit-outs, a career-high.
2006: Showing off his versatility once again, Petrie became a regular in defence in an otherwise disappointing season for North.
He polled five Brownlow votes, the highest of his career to that stage, including a best-on-ground performance against Geelong in Round 17.
27 disposals, including 14 contested against Cameron Mooney was an outstanding individual performance.
2007: Almost overshadowing the man of the moment, Petrie kicked 6 goals in a quarter against the Bulldogs during Glenn Archer’s 300th game.
Remarkably, he only received two Brownlow votes.
He played more forward that year, booting a then career-high 38 goals for the season and was part of his first finals’ win in what he’s labelled the most memorable of his career against Hawthorn.
2008: Petrie continued his status as the ultimate utility, spending time forward, in the ruck and floating back into defence.
Again force to carry much of the ruck-load in Hamish McIntosh’s absence (posterior cruciate ligament), soldiered on and was one of North’s most important players as it finished strongly to make the eight.
He averaged 16 disposals a game, the highest of his career to be regarded as one of the more talented big men in the game.
Such was his form, Petrie made the Australian team for the International Rules’ Series and polled 11 Brownlow votes.
2009: Promoted to a vice-captaincy role under Brent Harvey, Petrie was captain for much of the first part of the season after his team-mate succumbed to an elbow injury.
Shouldering responsibilities all over the ground, he led North to one of the upsets of the season in Round 21 against St Kilda.
The club’s leading goal-kicker with 27, he finished fourth in the best and fairest.
2010: Breaking his left foot in pre-season training, Petrie had a year to forget.
He returned in Round 10, but subsequently broke his other foot, sidelining him for another four weeks. After pulling up sore in Round 15, he was sidelined for the rest of the year.
2011: Coming back from injury, Petrie had arguably the best season of his career.
He booted 48 goals as a permanent forward, and was perhaps most prolific against Port Adelaide in Round 14, pulling down several one-handed marks despite close attention from his opponent, on his way to 4 goals. It was enough to earn him three Brownlow votes.
Petrie finished with 11 Brownlow votes for the season, came runner-up in the Syd Barker Medal and was named on the interchange in the All-Australian team.
2012: After a modest start, 9 goals in the first six games, Petrie had a brilliant season.
He booted 52 goals in the final 17 games, including bags of 7 against Carlton and Richmond in successive weeks.
Petrie finished seventh in the league for marks (fourth in contested) and at one stage led the race for the Coleman Medal.
He was a pivotal force as North made its first finals campaign since 2008.
2013: The vice-captain had another big year in front of the big sticks, finishing the season with 48.
When Andrew Swallow ruptured his achilles, the big man was the obvious choice to take over as interim captain, and he took the team agonizingly close to another finals’ campaign.
He finished fourth in the Syd Barker Medal for the second year running.
Career stats
Games: 249
Goals: 312
Marks: 1338 (avg. 5.3)
Disposals: 3070 (12.3)
Brownlow votes: 60
