He conquered all before him in 2015. He broke the hit-outs record, made the All-Australian team and won the Syd Barker Medal, among other awards and achievements.

The bad news for opposition teams; Todd Goldstein has room for improvement.

“They say that rucks start to come into their prime at 28, so I’m starting to get there now,” he told NMFC.com.au.

“Every day I rock up to the club I’m looking to improve and to get better and this year’s no exception.

“If you relax on last year’s accolades it’s not going to help the side. The one thing we are looking for is the premiership, so I think all of us are looking to improve to achieve that.”

The 27-year-old has again been a standout at training during the pre-season, finishing first in his group in Monday’s time trial.

“To be able to play that role I’ve played in the last three or four years I think requires that fitness base, and that’s what I’ve built my game around,” he said.

“It’s very important for me to be running well and be up in the top few of my running group, because it allows us to have a few more runners in the side, rather than have an extra player to carry if I’m not fit enough.”

North’s number 22 regularly plays more than 90 per cent of game time, wearing down his opponents with his tireless work-rate.

While he understands more attention will come his way in 2016, he’s confident he can still have a big impact.

“The things I hold strongly to my game are things that it doesn’t really matter who I come up against and what they do against me.

“I’m sure that teams will put a bit of focus in there, but I can’t really worry about that. It’s about doing the things I do well – following up, tackling and that defensive stuff – it doesn’t matter who you come against they can’t stop you.

Goldstein could receive some extra help this year, with the removal of the substitute rule perhaps paving the way for the inclusion of a second ruckman.

“It (four-man interchange) also gives opportunities to the younger ruckmen as well. When I got drafted there were four on the bench and I think I was playing about 30 per cent game time.

“It allows a bit more flexibility and may give another big man a chance.

“I think all of the sides will be feeling it out and seeing how it goes. I think a lot of sides will still be looking for the runner early on, but as we come into finals maybe a second tall won’t hurt.”

Daniel Currie’s move to the Gold Coast means Majak Daw and Braydon Preuss are next in line for ruck duties. As rookies, both have plenty to prove before the start of the season.

“I think they’ve (Daw and Preuss) both developed really well and are both coming up against me every day at training,” Goldstein said.

“They’re both improving greatly each week. It’s just about adding strings to your bow and they can both go forward and have a bit of an impact. I think that’s what sides are looking for.”

Goldstein has been particularly impressed with the form of second-year rookie Preuss.

“Braydon’s improvement on his fitness so far has been incredible.”

The big man equally pleased with the addition of Jed Anderson and Farren Ray into the midfield mix.

“It makes a massive difference having that balance in the side,” Goldstein added.

“Bringing Jed and Farren provides that little bit more outside run … that little bit more ball use to really complement the guys like Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell and Cunners (Ben Cunnington) in there.

“We’ve got a really good mix and I think it just gives the whole group a lot of confidence.”