Goldy axed in Roo ruck bombshell

NORTH Melbourne has dropped a selection bombshell by axing ruckman Todd Goldstein for tomorrow’s clash with Essendon.

Coach Brad Scott said last night the Kangaroos were not “comfortable” with the AllAustralian ruckman’s form and would do all they could to help the 29-year-old rediscover his best.

Goldstein has lacked his usual impact despite averaging 13.7 disposals and more than 32 hitouts per game. He will aim to discover his top form in the VFL for Werribee against Box Hill on Sunday.

“Goldy sets really high standards for himself and we set really high standards for him,” Scott said. “If he’s not going to get up to the level, then I’ve got to work out a way to get him back to his AllAustralian form because clearly he’s not comfortable with the way he’s playing and neither are we.

“Good players go through rough patches at times and this is a bit of a rough patch for him. But all of his attributes haven’t diminished, so we’ve just got to work to get him playing that really positive and aggressive footy we know he can play.”

Goldstein is one of five changes, with Lindsay Thomas dropped and captain Jack Ziebell managed.

“We just need to leave Jack Ziebell out this week — he just needs to be protected from himself,” Scott said.

“He’s just battered and we’ll manage him this week, much to his disgust. But as I said to Jack, if he was on crutches, he’d still want to go out there and lead the team.”

Geelong has named Patrick Dangerfield as expected, despite coach Chris Scott labelling him a 40 per cent chance of playing.

Melbourne will be buoyed by the return of four key players from injury, including cocaptain Jack Viney, while forgotten midfielder Jack Trengove will play his first senior game since Round 13 last year.

Collingwood is set to turn to second-year midfielder Rupert Wills to replace injured captain Scott Pendlebury against West Coast on Sunday, naming the 24-year old on the field in its extended squad.

Gary Ablett is again out of action with a hamstring injury for Saturday night’s match against the Western Bulldogs in Cairns.

Co-captain Steven May (hamstring) and Jarryd Lyons (ankle) are other big losses for the Suns. Jack Scrimshaw will make his senior debut as Jesse Lonergan and Brayden Fiorini return.

Bulldogs veteran Easton Wood will replace Jake Stringer (hamstring), while Travis Cloke is an emergency.