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Todd Goldstein sticks with North Melbourne

Roar Guru
19th November, 2015
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All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein has turned his back on potential free agency deciding to re-sign with the Kangaroos until the end of the 2019 season.

The 27-year-old could have been an unrestricted free agent but wants to be a one club player, excited by the direction of the football club and his confidence the Kangaroos can build on its preliminary finals appearances in 2014 and 2015.

Goldstein would have been one of the most sought after players in next year’s free agency class after a dominant 2015 that saw him claim the Kangaroos’ best and fairest on top of a second-place finish to Nathan Fyfe in the AFLPA Player of the Year award.

Ruckmen with Goldstein’s endurance and skills are hard to find so a lot of teams would have come knocking had he decided his future was elsewhere.

Goldstein has taken over the mantle of the Kangaroos most important player from Brent Harvey and relishes taking on oppositions’ (often dual) ruck setups, and is still running strong late in the game.

To announce his decision to stay, Goldstein wrote a letter to North Melbourne members, which was published on the club’s website:

“I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to be a one-club player and it’s something that I have always wanted to be. My decision to stay was easy, to be honest,” Goldstein wrote.

“There is a great belief in this playing group and what we are capable of achieving. This belief comes from the improvement we’ve seen over the last couple of seasons and the fact that we now have a more mature and mentally stronger playing and coaching group.

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“Our core group has been together for quite a long time, especially in football years, which allows us to have a greater understanding of how we want to play and more confidence in each other.

“In 2016, we want to make the top four and win a Grand Final. There is no point sugar coating it, we all crave that ultimate glory and won’t accept aiming for anything less.”

The big ruckman averaged 14.7 possessions a game and 1.3 contested marks in 2015. He finished fourth at the ‘Roos for contested possessions (199), was a dominant clearance player (82) and tackler (102).

The Goldstein signature comes a month after another ‘Roos star Jack Ziebell signed a deal keeping him at the club until 2021.

The Kangaroos players believe they can make the next step and into a Grand Final next season and beyond. Do you think the Kangaroos can make the Grand Final in 2016?

Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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