North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein’s stocks rising as former Roo David King urges club to get deal done
Red-hot ruckman Todd Goldstein has declared his desire to play on for another five seasons, but could a three-year deal be enough to prise him from North Melbourne?
St Kilda
Don't miss out on the headlines from St Kilda. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Todd Goldstein’s remarkable resilience and the mediocre free agency compensation on offer for the 31-year-old could put pressure on North Melbourne to improve their offer to the star ruckman.
North Melbourne star David King has urged the Roos to do everything possible to secure Goldstein as the unrestricted free agent continued his 2019 hot streak.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘SACKED’ PODCAST
He is considering a two-year offer and a games-based clause for a third season at North Melbourne but a more lucrative three-year offer at St Kilda.
North Melbourne can scarcely afford to lose him given their lack of ruck back-up and the potential free agency compensation pick on offer if he departs.
As a 31-year-old even on a hefty three-year deal North Melbourne would expect a second-round pick at best if he departed.
To receive a first-round pick compensation pick for a departing free agent a player needs to be in the top five per cent of earners aged 25 and over based on his new contract.
Jarrad Waite signed a two-year deal to move from Carlton to North Melbourne in 2014, with the Blues filthy to receive no compensation pick at all.
Goldstein was extraordinary in the win over Port Adelaide with 34 disposals, 17 score involvements, nine clearances and a goal.
North Melbourne must also weigh the risk of Goldstein hitting a wall in the third year of a deal but his durability is a marvel given his high game time as a ruckman.
Since winning his spot as the club’s first ruckman at the start of 2010 he has never missed a game with a soft-tissue injury.
In that time while playing 217 games he has missed just four games with injury including an ankle and a knee, been rested in two Round 23 clashes and played VFL three times.
He will hope like Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands, who has just retired at 36, he can easily push well into his 30s as a ruckman with the Roos.
Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial >
King said the Roos had to find a way to secure Goldstein.
“I know Ben Brown cashed in large … but the game of Goldstein was just out of this world,” he told SEN.
“It was like he was Marcus Bontempelli all of a sudden. The tap was the tap but then he was following up — he was just embarrassing them.
“His stocks have gone through the roof. I don’t know whether he’s staying, going or whether they can come to that financial arrangement, but if he’s leaving, you’d want to be getting something super in return.”
FREE AGENCY: WHO IS YOUR CLUB CHASING?
THE TACKLE: PHOTO BLUES SHOULD SEND TO AFL
He told the Herald Sun before the Good Friday clash he believed he could play for another five seasons.
““This is the best my body has felt in a while and with my headspace I am enjoying list as much as I have ever,” Goldstein said.
“So while I am doing that I would like to keep playing. I don’t know why I can’t play three, four or five years.”
‘He’s our captain’: Bombers, Saints shut down Merrett trade rumour
Zach Merrett has been linked to a monster offer from St Kilda in recent days, but JON RALPH reports the Saints and Bombers have denied any chance of the detail being done.
Revealed: Saints’ $6m last-ditch bid to keep Battle
St Kilda’s last-ditch attempt to keep Josh Battle at Moorabbin has been revealed as the defender explained why he chose Hawthorn after months after haggling from both clubs.