It’s not often a ten-goal performance is challenged for best afield honours, but Todd Goldstein could well have a claim for the three Brownlow votes on Saturday night.
While Ben Brown’s perfect 10 was simply that, perfect, Goldstein played arguably the best game of his career on a night every North fan will remember fondly.
For the media, all the talk was about the dominance of the Roos’ big men in an 86-point victory.
“At a time when scoring is at a 50-year low, Ben Brown evoked memories of a bygone era on Saturday night.
“He didn’t beat Port Adelaide on his own. No, the North Melbourne spearhead had an abundance of help up the ground, allowing Power defender Tom Clurey – who had kept Brown goalless earlier in the year – to be fed to the wolves. Or more to the point, the wolf. It was big, bad Brown who blew down the Power with 10 goals, the first time a Roos player had kicked that many since Wayne Carey in round 17, 1999.
“Footy can be all too dour these days, so it’s worth celebrating a story like Brown. Plucked from Tasmania by Werribee, Brown was only drafted the day after his 21st birthday. He kicked two in the first term on Saturday night, but it was in the second that he really got going, booting four. In the second half he toyed with Port. Brown’s eighth major was a gem. Cameron Zurhaar brushed off Darcy Byrne-Jones, kicking to Brown’s advantage. The spearhead out-bodied Tom Jonas, before breaking away to sneak through another on the outside of his boot. Brown had kicked 10 straight before he finally shanked one in the last quarter, a moment met with light-hearted boos.” – Daniel Cherny, The Age.
“It took something out of the box from Brown to overshadow an awesome display by Todd Goldstein, who monstered Paddy Ryder and Peter Ladhams. Goldstein had 18 possessions, 16 hit-outs, nine clearances and a goal to half-time and finished with a career-high 34 disposals and 28 hit-outs in a stunning display of ruck prowess,” – AAP.
“Ben Brown kicked 10 goals but thought Todd Goldstein was best afield.
“It was the second-best game of Goldstein’s career on ratings. His highest-rated game was 19 disposals, 38 hit-outs and five goals in Tasmania in 2016.” – Mark Robinson, Herald Sun.
“Goldstein was masterful. His best moment came in the second term when he grabbed the ball from a forward pocket boundary throw-in before curling through a major.” – Daniel Cherny, The Age.
“Some would say it’s the best game he’s (Goldstein) ever played.
“I think outside of (Brodie) Grundy, he’s nearly the best ruckman in it.” – Matthew Lloyd, AFL.com.au
“Goldstein annihilated fellow All Australian Paddy Ryder and to a lesser degree the man North contemplated recruiting, Peter Ladhams, with a performance that turned back the clock to his glory years.” – Marc McGowan, AFL.com.au.
“He (Goldstein) was absolutely dominant. It was his best game for a while. The last 18 months he’s been back in that ripping form from his All-Australian year. He was just simply dominant.” – Jimmy Bartel, AFL.com.au.
“It’s amazing to think that at 31 years of age and 230-odd games, Todd Goldstein has produced his best ever game at AFL level.
“It’s a toss-up who got the votes tonight. You’d be a brave umpire not to give it to the full-forward who kicked 10, but Todd Goldstein probably the most influential from start to finish.” – Kane Cornes, AFL.com.au
After a disappointing performance last week, it was the perfect response from the North team.
“North set a new club record with a jaw-dropping 514 possessions to the Power’s 307, with (Shaun) Higgins (38), Ben Cunnington (37) and Jamie Macmillan (34) leading the way.” – AAP.
“The Kangaroos outdid their previous week’s goal tally in a little over nine minutes at Marvel Stadium, and that was only the beginning of a devastating rout which left most of a modest Docklands crowd in raptures, thrust the Coleman race wide open, and seriously imperilled Port’s chances of featuring in the September action.” – Daniel Cherny, The Age.
