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AFL season 2017: New Eagle Drew Petrie urged to keep things basic against North Melbourne

Jon Pierik

West Coast coach Adam Simpson wants Drew Petrie to play to his "basic" strengths when he lines up against his former club on Sunday. Petrie is one of three new faces the Eagles will unveil when they tackle the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium.

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The Roos also confirmed on Friday they would have six new faces, with Mitchell Hibberd, Marley Williams, Jy Simpkin, Nathan Hrovat, Declan Mountford and Braydon Preuss earning selection.

Petrie said this week the emotion of taking on his former club of 16 years had yet to be felt because he was based out west but that will change now he is in town.

Simpson, also a former Roo, spent many years playing alongside Petrie, and wants him to simply provide a contest when he shares the ruck duties with another new Eagle, Nathan Vardy.

Petrie and Vardy, the former Cat, face a tough afternoon against 2015 All-Australian Todd Goldstein and Preuss, the latter impressing through the pre-season.

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"I rucked under Drew (at North) for a little while many years ago, so I know what his capabilities are and I know his strengths and I'm pretty sure North do, too, as a ruckman," Simpson said on Friday. "They're pretty basic (strengths). He has a go and he follows up, so as long as he brings that, we'll be OK."

Four-time premiership Hawk Sam Mitchell will also line up for the first time as an Eagle.

The Roos will have four debutants in the one game – Mountford, Hibberd, Preuss and Simpkin – for the first time since 2007 while former Bulldog Hrovat and former Magpie Williams will have a point to prove.

Geelong will have three new faces when they run out against Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

Former Carlton half-back Zach Tuohy, defender Tom Stewart, who played in the Cats' VFL affiliate last year, and Brandan Parfitt, a second-round draft selection last year who played senior football in South Australia, will have important roles to fill.

The Dockers will have four recycled players, with former Bulldogs premiership defender Joel Hamling, former premiership Hawk Brad Hill, former Cat Shane Kersten and Cam McCarthy, the one-time Giant who sat out of the AFL last year, ready to help lead what they hope will be a rise up the ladder.

I rucked under Drew (at North) for a little while many years ago, so I know what his capabilities are and I know his strengths and I'm pretty sure North do, too.

Adam Simpson

The Crows have named skipper Taylor Walker and deputy Rory Sloane to face Greater Western Sydney despite injury concerns. 

Former Blue Troy Menzel, who had fitness issues and did not play a senior game last year in his first season in Adelaide, will finally debut for his second club.