Petrie expected to play in big AFL match

North Melbourne veteran Drew Petrie is expected to play in Saturday night's big AFL match, despite needing a guard on his left arm.

Petrie noticeably marked one-handed on Monday in a light training session at Arden St.

Brent Harvey will break the AFL games record on Saturday night against St Kilda and is sure his long-time teammate will be ready.

"I don't think he'll miss this game," Harvey said.

Harvey also backed Petrie to soon return to top form, after some lean weeks for the key forward.

There had been calls for North to drop Petrie, but he took seven marks and kicked two goals as they broke a five-game losing streak with the win over Collingwood.

"It's been well-documented that Drewy is in a form slump - I'm not sure he is, because his pressure has been absolutely outstanding," Harvey said.

"In the first half on the weekend ... I haven't seen a player put that much pressure on in our forward line for long, long time.

"For a big guy, that was pretty special to sit back and watch.

"He will turn things around pretty quickly."