Todd Goldstein’s form could see him in Brownlow Medal contention, says North Melbourne coach Brad Scott

BRAD Scott believes the career-best form of ruckman Todd Goldstein could see him in Brownlow Medal contention this year after yet another best-afield performance.

North Melbourne v Essendon todd Goldstein & Shaun McKernan Picture:Wayne Ludbey

NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott believes the career-best form of ruckman Todd Goldstein could see him in Brownlow Medal contention this year after yet another best-afield performance against Essendon.

The Bombers’ decision to overlook off-season recruit Jonathan Giles backfired spectacularly as Goldstein amassed 27 possessions at 93 per cent efficiency, eight marks, eight clearances and 55 hitouts.

He finished with a season-high 221 rankings points and drove the Kangaroos midfield with 20 hitouts to advantage.

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While Scott acknowledged it was difficult to say just how the umpires would assess Goldstein’s season so far, the coach said the big man was well on the way to achieving his pre-season plan to assert his authority even more on the AFL stage.

“He has been a really dominant player for us all year, he has been really consistent,” Scott said after Goldstein’s domination of Essendon on Friday night.

“(It is) really hard to say in terms of the Brownlow ... (but) I think he would be right up there with a couple of others, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the umpires thought the same.”

Goldstein was a $14 chance to the AFL’s highest individual award, behind Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, who has been as short as $1.45 with some betting agencies.

The Kangaroos ruckman surprisingly only polled three votes last year after a strong season, but has elevated his game even further this season.

He did not make the All-Australian team last year, but is almost considered a lock this year with almost a third of the season to run.

“I said at the start of the year that he really wants to stamp his authority on the competition and put his hand up as one of the premier big men in the game,” Scott said. “He is well on the way to doing that.”

Essendon coach James Hird denied Giles wasn’t the player he thought as the Bombers opted to put makeshift ruckman Shaun McKernan up against the white-hot Goldstein.

Hird said Goldstein produced “one of the best performances I’ve seen from a ruckman in a long time”.

Giles is yet to play a senior game this year, despite the long-term injury to Tom Bellchambers.

“We just want a more competitive effort from Jonathan,” Hird said.

“He’s starting to give us that and the expectation of the way he plays, he’s got some really good attributes, particularly up forward ... but we’re coaching him to be the player we want him to be and sometimes that takes a bit of time in a different system.

“He plays tomorrow in the reserves and you’d have to think he’s a chance if he plays well. We’ve asked for more competition from him and he’s given us that in training.

“We were under no illusions that Goldstein was in really good form. We put a lot of work into it and it didn’t work, obviously. He was outstanding and the difference between the two teams.”

Scott also praised forward and back-up ruckman Ben Brown, who kicked four goals.

“He is a natural footballer,” he said. “He is not a great player yet, but he certainly has got the potential to be one. He has all the attributes, he is 200cm, he has terrific endurance ... and really importantly in modern footy, he is a reliable shot for goal.”

Goldstein takes a strong mark over Jason Ashby. Picture: Getty Images

Scott said the club was looking forward to Brent Harvey’s 400th game on Saturday night, when the Roos take on Brisbane at the Gabba.

“It is a great celebration for our club. He has been an icon not only of North Melbourne but I think of AFL footy,” he said. “It is a great achievement, but the win will be first and foremost in (the club’s) mind.”

The Kangaroos lost Jamie Macmillan and Aaron Mullett with hamstring issues, with Macmillan’s believed to be the more serious of the two.

Hird, meanwhile, praised the effort of his side, which included 12 players with less than 40 games experience.

The Bombers had a crack for three quarters, but made “basic mistakes” in a third term that saw them blasted 5.2 to 1.1.

Hird was full of praise for Cale Hooker, who took 13 marks and competed all night as a makeshift forward target.

“He’s taken himself from a pretty good backman four years ago to an outstanding All-Australian centre half-back to now a very, very good forward. We’re very happy he’s playing for us,” he said.

Hird said Jake Carlisle (ankle) was still at least two weeks off and was hopeful Dustin Fletcher (groin) would feature again this season.