Experienced Kangas in headlights

WITH just three matches remaining in the season, it could be that North Melbourne pair Todd Goldstein and Scott Thompson are facing the end of their time at Arden Street.

Goldstein, 31, and Thompson, 33, are the oldest and most experienced names on the Kangaroos list and both are out of contract.

Towering ruck Goldstein has been linked with a move to St Kilda, with reports the Saints are willing to offer him a longer tenure. Yesterday, Rhyce Shaw said he wanted Goldstein to see out his career at the club.

“Todd is a fantastic part for our footy club and has been for a long time,” he said.

“I’d love to see him in our colours next year. He is still a top threeranked ruckman in the competition I think at his best and I’d love to see him here.”

Shaw, handed the reins at North Melbourne last month to succeed Brad Scott, said he would “be worried” if Goldstein delayed the decision further. “I’m looking for him to be as comfortable as he can and hopefully he signs,” he said.

Thompson’s situation is a little different. Because of his age, the key backman has been assessed on a yearly basis by the club for some time, with another review at season’s end.

Shaw backed him to do a job on inform Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins in this weekend’s clash, but wasn’t in the mood to speculate whether he would be doing the same next season.

“I know Scotty has been a great servant for our footy club and he’s played good footy for us again this year. We’ll address that in time. I don’t know where that’s at. We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Should Goldstein and Thompson move on, their departures would represent the biggest loss of experience since the infamous axing of Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo — a move Scott said was the hardest decision of his tenure. Thompson and Goldstein have combined for 469 games.

A loss to ladder leader Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday night would end the Kangaroos’ faint hopes of playing finals this season.

The Cats have endured a torrid run since the bye, leading Shaw to suggest “they’ll come out firing” in front of their home crowd.