North Melbourne star forward Drew Petrie's AFL season appears over, with the vice-captain sidelined by a foot fracture for the third time this year.

The key big man missed the first nine games with a broken left foot, then had a rod inserted after fracturing a bone in his right foot in his first game of the season, against Fremantle in round 10.

Sunday's loss to Sydney was just Petrie's second game of the season and despite hobbling off after re-injuring the right foot in the first half, he returned after halftime.

The Kangaroos confirmed on Tuesday he had re-fractured a bone and needed further surgery.

But the club insisted that sending him back into action against the Swans had not added to the damage.

"The North Melbourne Football Club wishes to advise vice-captain Drew Petrie will require another operation on his right foot tomorrow after his original operation was unsuccessful," the Roos said in a statement.

"Petrie has re-fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will have a rod removed and a screw inserted in its place.

"The club wishes to stress that Drew did not sustain any further damage to his foot by staying on the field in the match against the Swans."

The loss of Petrie is another huge blow to the Kangaroos' fading finals hopes, after the defeat by the Swans left them a win and a significant amount of percentage off eighth spot.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP