North Melbourne hits back at Nick Dal Santo ‘barbs’ directed at Andrew Swallow and Todd Goldstein
NORTH Melbourne Jamie Macmillan says comments made by former teammate Nick Dal Santo about Andrew Swallow were unfair, while he also rubbished talk of trading Todd Goldstein.
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NORTH Melbourne has hit back at former player Nick Dal Santo, defending Andrew Swallow as a vital member of the midfield core.
Leadership group member Jamie Macmillan said Dal Santo was well aware of his former captain’s strengths.
Dal Santo, who retired last year and has become an impressive media commentator, said the Roos were “moving him out of the team” by stationing him at half-forward.
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But ahead of a historic Good Friday game against the Western Bulldogs, Macmillan said Dal Santo was being unfair to a respected Kangaroos leader.
“Inside these four walls, Spitter (Swallow) is one of the most highly rated players,’’ he told the Herald Sun.
“The hard thing is we know what he is in the side for but I am not sure others do. Dal does know and I read he said he’s an elite tackler and elite contested ball player.
“He is absolutely in our best 22. Dal did say to me he wasn’t going to shoot any barbs but he’s already shot off six or seven of them so far so I am just waiting for one to come my way.”
Braydon Preuss laughed off rumours his hot form would see Todd Goldstein traded, saying he wanted to form a lethal ruck partnership.
“We just brush it off. If anything we need him even more. He is such a good player and I will play 10 times better if he is in the team,’’ he said.
“It’s awesome to get a rest, I am definitely not the fittest player running around. We are different ruckmen and coming up against different opponents we can employ different styles.”
McMillan said talk of the Roos trading Goldstein was nonsense given the club could play both in one side.
“I don’t think you can trade someone in Round 3 to start with ... Preussy would be happy for me to say he’s not in the All-Australian league yet and he’s played three games, two of which were at a high standard.
“Goldy has the runs on the board and missed a week and was coming back and at the end of the day he’s done it for a long time. We hope they can form a formidable ruck partnership.
“I have got no doubt they will both figure prominently.”
Preuss at times ragdolled his rucking idol Shane Mumford last week as well as kicking two goals as the starting ruckman.
The ruck revelation, handed a two-year deal off the rookie list last year, said he needed to play on the edge to be at his best.
“I just try to base my game on Shane Mumford. I have watched a lot of vision of him over the years,’’ he said.
“You have to be (aggressive) against every ruckman, if you are not having a dip you get found out.
“It’s just his follow-ups, the way he tackles and goes after the footy. It was great to play against him and watch him with the way he goes about it.”
Roos players on Wednesday donated $10,000 to the RCH Good Friday Appeal.
Originally published as North Melbourne hits back at Nick Dal Santo ‘barbs’ directed at Andrew Swallow and Todd Goldstein
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