Goldy to head Roos’ rucks
NORTH Melbourne star Todd Goldstein is looking forward to the opportunity to stamp himself as the number-one ruckman at the club and guide the side to back-to-back finals campaigns for the first time since 2008.
NORTH Melbourne star Todd Goldstein is looking forward to the opportunity to stamp himself as the number-one ruckman at the club and guide the side to back-to-back finals campaigns for the first time since 2008.
After a stellar preseason, Goldstein said the club is in a good position to feature in September again.
“This preseason has probably been the best one we’ve done in a while,” Goldstein told The AJN.
“So I think it’s definitely an excit- ing time to be a part of the club, and I think everyone feels the same way.”
Goldstein is now the most senior ruckman at the club, after Hamish McIntosh moved to Geelong over the off-season. And with youngsters Daniel Currie, Ben Mabon and Majak Daw coming up the ranks, Goldstein is relishing the chance to take control of the club’s ruck stocks.
“There really is a battle for spots in round one and none of us know whether we’re going to play or not,” Goldstein said.
“I think it’s good having Ben Mabon and Daniel Currie here as well to really put pressure on myself and each other to constantly improve … and with Majak as well starting to play some good football, it really is an exciting time for the big guys.”
North Melbourne stormed into last year’s finals in eighth spot, winning 10 of its last 12 games, and Goldstein said the side should aim to replicate its form from the second half of 2012.
“The second part of last year was great to be a part of, and it was great to watch the group grow and improve,” Goldstein said.
“[But] you really don’t want to put a limit on where we can finish [this year], it’s really just about looking at each week as it comes.”
The Kangaroos managed to keep themselves out of the headlines over the summer and Goldstein said the controversy of the drug scandal has not affected the club.
“It’s not something we really want to focus on and contemplate too much leading into round one,” Goldstein said.
“And we’re very confident in our conditioning staff and medical staff, and the way they’ve handled us.”
North Melbourne has its full focus on the field and is set for a tough challenge from the get-go, with a round-one blockbuster against Collingwood.
“There’s a lot of excitement about round one,” Goldstein said.
“The group is capable of something special … and [we have] a lot of confidence we can match it with the best sides, because we did last year.”
Ashley Shenker
Photo: AAP Image/Dave Crosling
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