Goldstein, 25, is due to come out of contract at the end of next year, when he would qualify for free agency after eight years' service with North.

 

However, the Roos' No. 1 ruckman told AFL.com.au he is confident he will re-sign with North soon.

 

"I'm not stressing about it, the club is not stressing about it either, it will get done in due course," Goldstein said from North's Utah training camp.

 

"I'm just trying to make some improvements in the pre-season and the contract side of things will take care of itself.

 

"I love this footy club and I want success at this footy club.

 

"The club's in talks with my manager, Tom Petroro, so I'm sure that will be done in due course and hopefully very soon."

 

Goldstein shaped as one of the most enticing targets in the 2014 free agency class after a career-best 2013 season, when he finished third in North's best and fairest award and made the preliminary All Australian squad for the second time in three years.

 

Shouldering North's ruck duties almost on his own, Goldstein had the second most hit-outs in the competition last year, averaging 37.4 a game, and ranked equal ninth for hit-outs to advantage.

 

Goldstein agreed his ruck work had risen to another level in 2013, but said his play around the ground still had room for improvement.

 

"I was reasonably happy with last season but I haven't reached where I want to get to as a player and definitely haven't achieved what I want to achieve with finals success yet," he said.

 

"In ruck work, it was my best year of footy, but I still wasn't having enough impact around the ground.

 

"I started to hit the scoreboard a bit towards the end of the year (Goldstein kicked an equal career-high 13 goals in 2013, seven coming in the final six rounds) but I've still got a bit of improvement that I need to make over this pre-season and going forward.

 

"I'm only 25, so I've definitely got a few good years left in me."

 

Goldstein's heavy ruck load came under scrutiny in July when he told radio station SEN he was "stuffed" late in games and needed to "change a bit more" with support ruckman Drew Petrie.

 

The ruckman said his comments had not come out as intended in that "fateful interview", but added he had run out games a lot better after North subsequently tinkered with his time on the ball.

 

Goldstein would be happy to continue as the Roos' sole ruckman next year – "I've always played my best footy as a solo ruckman," he said – but would be just as happy to partner Majak Daw or Daniel Currie.

 

"We haven't spoken yet about what we're going to be doing in the ruck next year," he said.

 

"If Brad thinks me playing on my own is what's going to be best for the team, I'll relish that opportunity.

 

"But if he thinks I need a bit of support and they want to bring in someone like 'Cuz' (Currie), Majak or someone else then I think we can definitely make that work as well.

 

"I'm not too fussed whether my hit-outs go up or go down. It's just about what's going to give us the best chance of winning."