West Coast interested in securing North Melbourne big man Drew Petrie for next season

WEST Coast has confirmed its interest in departing North Melbourne big man Drew Petrie for next season as Scott Lycett considers knee surgery.

Drew Petrie played his last game for North Melbourne on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

WEST Coast has confirmed its interest in departing North Melbourne big man Drew Petrie for next season as the club considers send Scott Lycett in for knee surgery.

Petrie’s contract was not renewed at the Roos but former teammate and Eagles’ coach Adam Simpson could help extend his playing career in the west.

The Eagles need a ready-made ruck-forward support after losing Nic Naitanui to a year-long knee injury.

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Sources on Sunday confirmed Petrie, 33, was one of a number of big men the Eagles were considering ahead of next month’s trade period.

The Eagles could add Petrie for nothing as a delisted free agent.

If Lycett does miss a significant part of 2017, West Coast will be forced to get creative with its big man stocks with Fraser McInnes the only other option.

Drew Petrie played his last game for North Melbourne on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images.

The Eagles have not yet formally approached Petrie but are expected to make contact with the 2011 All-Australian now the Roos’ season has finished.

Naitanui had a knee reconstruction while Scott Lycett also needs to go under the knife in a blow to West Coast’s tall stocks for next year.

The Eagles are trying to lure GWS’s developing big man Rory Lobb back to Western Australia while veteran Bulldog Will Minson is also out of contract.

Petrie has led North’s goalkicking five times during his excellent 316-game career.

The North Melbourne stalwart is yet to make a decision on whether he wants to continue his playing career in 2017.

The highly-respected big man could also be head-hunted as an assistant coach.