Veteran Roo unsure what’s next

UNRESTRICTED free agent Todd Goldstein (pictured) plans to play on next year as he heads towards 300 games but is unsure if he will be at North Melbourne.

The 34-year-old, an AllAustralian in 2015, is still one of the embattled club’s best and most consistent contributors but is nearing the end of his stellar career.

Goldstein’s latest threeyear deal expires at season’s end – signed after knocking back Geelong’s advances – and he believes he has at least another year left, if not two, but is unsure where he fits in the Roos’ plans beyond 2022.

Tristan Xerri has announced himself as North’s long-term answer in the ruck, while the Kangaroos also traded for ex-Tiger Callum Coleman-Jones last year.

“To be honest, my manager (Tom Petroro) is away, so I don’t know if he’s had any conversations with the footy club,” Goldstein told News Corp.

“The way I try and set up my life is the people I pay to do the job for me can worry about that stuff, because if I worry too much about that, it’s going to creep into my on-field stuff.

“The best thing I can do is play the best footy I can, and try and help this team – and what happens after this year, happens. But I’m not stressing too much about it.”

Coach David Noble confirmed after Saturday’s heartbreaking loss to Collingwood that North Melbourne would likely be in the market for a Luke Hodge-style, matureaged recruit to complement its youth.

Goldstein, captain Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Hugh Greenwood and Aaron Hall are the only players aged 30plus on the Roos’ current list.