Todd Goldstein ‘completely dominant’ in North Melbourne’s win over Carlton
TODD Goldstein return to form with a dominant display against Carlton recruit Daniel Gorringe, who hadn’t played AFL for 398 days.
North Melb
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IN THE 398 days since Daniel Gorringe last featured at AFL level, a lot has changed.
Fremantle still languishes at the bottom of the ladder, a bloke named Danger has crossed the border and the US has a rather colourful presidential candidate on its hands.
But he was quickly reminded of how things work at the top level by the best in the business, and picked an unlucky week to make his debut in navy blue.
Right from the outset, Todd Goldstein showed exactly why he remains in the top-10 of Brownlow betting with a whopping 20 hitouts in the first term, including nine to advantage.
Gorringe, who was taken by Carlton as a delisted free agent at the end of last season – shifting from Gold Coast – could only virtually watch on as Goldstein strutted his stuff, his tapwork setting the foundations for the Kangaroos to continue their flawless 2016 run.
North Melbourne coach Brad Scott lauded Goldstein’s performance and said his “bag of tricks” only continues to grow.
“I thought he gave our midfield really good use,” he said.
“Goldy really set himself a few years ago to assert himself on the competition and I think he’s taken his game to a new level.
“He’s got new strings to his bow now and he’s got a bag of tricks now that mean he can adapt his game based on what the opposition are doing. It was another really good performance from him.”
With his merry men in Jack Ziebell, Nick Dal Santo and Ben Cunnington waiting at his feet, Goldstein was ably supported with the quartet combining for some 11 centre clearances for the night.
“Complete domination” was the only way former Hawk and Sun Campbell Brown could describe a third-quarter that included three goals from Goldstein – including two in a minute - who also rucked for just about the entire term.
Bar one Jackie Chan moment that resulted in a goal late in the third quarter, Gorringe could do little more than watch the All-Australian do his thing.
The Blues’ injury woes have been well-documented, particularly the absence of key ruck Matthew Kreuzer (knee) and his fellow big man Levi Casboult (leg) – both sorely missed at Etihad Stadium last night as Carlton lacked spark in the middle and a key target inside 50.
Sam Docherty only continued his purple patch and proved the Blues’ shining light, while young key defender Jacob Weitering battled in his return, with heavy taping on the shoulder that has seen him miss the last two weeks. He was also forced to face off with Goldstein at times.
But it’s not just the work with that hand that has Goldstein head and shoulders above the rest – and not just literally.
His second, third and sometimes even fourth efforts don’t go unnoticed, punctuated with a couple of tackles and three goals in a showing that had some on social media calling for the 201cm star to throw his hat in the ring for the nation’s top job.
It is up for grabs come July 2, after all.
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