NORTH Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein says the bye has done the trick and he expects to be back to his best against West Coast at Domain Stadium on Sunday. 

The game's best big man looked to be labouring in the weeks leading into the bye after suffering a knock to his knee in round 10 against the Sydney Swans. 

In that time the Kangaroos have lost three and won one and tumbled from the top of the ladder to seventh.

"I was definitely hanging out for the bye," Goldstein told SEN on Thursday.

"[I'm] feeling a lot more refreshed now and feeling good." 

He said he expected key forward Jarrad Waite to return against the Eagles after missing the past month with a hip injury.

Goldstein also backed the performance of veteran forward Drew Petrie, who has kicked 19 goals this season.

The Kangaroos star has kicked at least 40 goals in each of the past five seasons and said this week he was keen to play on in 2017.

Goldstein said Petrie would like to be hitting the scoreboard a bit more but remained an integral part of the team. 

"He's probably our best pressure forward," Goldstein said 

"He very rarely loses a one-on-one contests." 

North Melbourne have beaten the Eagles just twice in their past seven clashes at Domain Stadium, and lost last year’s preliminary final at the ground, but a win would lift its premiership credentials.