North Melbourne’s unbeaten start to the season is on the back of Todd Goldtsein’s ruck domination, synergy with midfielders

NORTH Melbourne’s engine room has time to thank for its ability to drive the team to its recent success, according to two key cogs in its operation. SEE THE STATS

Lauren Wood

@LaurenHeraldSun

2 min read

May 25, 2016 - 8:00PM

Todd Goldstein in a dominant ruckman. Picture: Luke Bowden

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NORTH Melbourne’s engine room has time to thank for its ability to drive the team to its recent success, according to two key cogs in its operation.

All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein’s combinations with midfielders Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington rank in the competition’s top 10, bettered by only Demons ruckman Max Gawn whose combination with three Melbourne midfielders feature on the list.

Goldstein, who dominated in last Saturday’s win over Carlton with 45 hit-outs and three third-quarter goals, has joined forces with Ziebell on 22 occasions and Cunnington another 17.

Cunnington, who has averaged more than 21 disposals and five clearances per game across the Kangaroos’ flawless nine rounds so far, credited time as a primary factor in the team’s midfield dominance.

“We’ve got that many midfielders now and Goldy is one of the best going around,” Cunnington said.

“He’s a freak. You’re just in awe out there. He puts it to us on a platter.

“We’re all gelling together and we’ve played a heap of games now, so we’ve got that continuity together. We’re all taking it in turns and we know our role — we’re getting it done.”

Goldstein agreed, and said there is no time to rest on their laurels.

“We’ve played a lot of footy together now,” the ruckman said.

“(Nick Dal Santo) has been here for two years — as a group we’ve been together for a while.

Todd Goldstein and Jack Ziebell are a dynamic ruck rover partnership for North Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“We know where each other’s going to be and what our strengths are and it’s all about mixing it up in there and working together.

“We’ve got to keep backing it up now.”

Cunnington restricted Blues star Patrick Cripps in the absence of stopper Ben Jacobs, who is set to miss 10 weeks after foot surgery, last Saturday night but forecasts such a role could be shared among the midfielders until Jacobs returns.

Fellow midfielder Daniel Wells was put through a fitness test at Arden Street on Wednesday after missing the last two games with achilles tendon soreness.

“We won’t take a risk with him if he’s not quite right,” coach Brad Scott said.

KANGAROOS RUCK ROVER COMBINATIONS

Goldstein-Ziebell 22

Goldstein-Cunnington 17

Goldstein-Dal Santo 13

Goldstein-Wells 10

Goldstein-Swallow 8

LEAGUE RUCK ROVER COMBINATIONS

Nic Naitanui-Matt Priddis (West Coast) 30

Tom Hickey-David Armitage (St Kilda) 24

Todd Goldstein-Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne) 22

Nic Naitanui-Luke Shuey (West Coast) 21