Scott gives Goldstein a rev-up
NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott has challenged Todd Goldstein to reclaim the mantle as the AFL’s best ruckman.
Goldstein had a tough day in Saturday’s loss to Melbourne when he was comprehensively outpointed by Max Gawn.
The 29-year-old managed 15 hit-outs to Gawn’s 50, with the Demons’ star performance widely regarded as the key factor in the result.
With younger rival Braydon Preuss waiting in the wings, Scott guaranteed Goldstein, the 2015 All-Australian ruckman, would keep his spot for the Round 4 clash against Carlton.
But the coach had some up- front discussions with Goldstein after the 37-point defeat at the MCG and expects to see a significant improvement this weekend and beyond.
“One of the things I’ve really admired about Max Gawn is that he was All-Australian (in 2016) and he’s evolved his game from there,” Scott said.
“That’s been the message to Goldy — you can’t just say ‘I was once one of the premier ruckmen in the competition’ and just expect to keep doing the same things because the game evolves and everyone changes.
“I thought Goldy really emerged as a player many years ago when he actually said ‘I want to be the dominant big man in the competition’.
“We’ve got to get him in that mindset.”
Defender Robbie Tarrant is expected to return for Saturday night’s game in Hobart after overcoming hamstring tightness.