North Melbourne stalwart Drew Petrie says 2015 could be the year a team from outside the top four tastes premiership glory.

Not since 1998 has a team won the Grand Final after sitting in the bottom half of the top eight, when Adelaide triumphed over the Roos after finishing the home and away season in fifth.

Petrie said on Monday this year had proven to be one of the most open seasons in recent memory and any of the top eight sides had the potential to go all the way.

“It’s certainly the hardest way to win a premiership, to come from outside the top four,” Petrie said.

“But if there is going to be a side that does it any year, this might be the year, given the current form of where the current five through eight sit.

“There’s Richmond, Doggies, Adelaide and us and all in relatively good form at the moment, so yes a top four gives you that double chance, but this might be the year we see something different happen.”

While the teams destined for finals action are locked in, the exact finishing order won’t be determined until late Saturday night.

The permutations are many, but a North loss on Friday would mean both elimination finals would be hosted in Melbourne.

Despite this, Petrie is adamant the Roos weren’t contemplating anything but a win this Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

“Is that how it’s going to work?” Petrie said when questioned if the Roos were better off losing on Friday.

“So it’s going to be a good thing to lose you reckon? No, not in these four walls.”