The accolades continue to mount for Todd Goldstein, this time recognised as the Roos’ best in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year.
Recognition from opposition coaches is a great sign of a player's worth, and Goldstein certainly earned that in the home and away season, 31 votes ahead of his nearest North teammate.
One of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal, the big man finished sixth overall, only behind the Eagles’ Andrew Gaff and Matt Priddis, Sydney’s Josh Kennedy, Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe and last-gasp winner Dan Hannebery.
Goldstein was awarded The Age’s Player of the Year after a dominant year in the ruck, and is right in the mix for his first Syd Barker Medal.
He missed the round 23 clash against Richmond, with Lachlan Hansen and Kayne Turner the only vote-getters despite a brave team performance.
Hansen was handed one vote after pulling down 11 marks to go with his 19 disposals in defence, while Turner has hit form at the perfect time leading into finals.
The youngster was at his courageous best on Friday night, with a three-goal haul enough for his first vote of the year.
Jack Ziebell failed to poll in Round 23 but finished second overall on the North leaderboard with 42 votes, with Ben Cunnington (38 votes) and Shaun Higgins (36) next in line.
Drew Petrie rounded out the top five with 29 votes.
North Melbourne v Richmond
10 Brett Deledio (Rich)
8 Trent Cotchin (Rich)
3 Brandon Ellis (Rich)
3 Lachlan Hansen (NM)
2 Anthony Miles (Rich)
2 Alex Rance (Rich)
1 Bachar Houli (Rich)
1 Kayne Turner (NM)
North Melbourne final leaderboard
73 Todd Goldstein
42 Jack Ziebell
38 Ben Cunnington
36 Shaun Higgins
29 Drew Petrie
20 Nick Dal Santo
18 Andrew Swallow
14 Brent Harvey
11 Jamie Macmillan
9 Robbie Tarrant
AFL final leaderboard
101 Dan Hannebery (Syd)
100 Nat Fyfe (Frem)
87 Josh Kennedy (Syd)
75 Matt Priddis (WCE)
74 Andrew Gaff (WCE)
73 Todd Goldstein (NM)
73 David Mundy (Frem)
69 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
67 Scott Pendlebury (Col)
65 Patrick Dangerfield (Ade)
North Melbourne will hold an open training session this Saturday (September 12, 2015) at Arden Street from 11.15am-12.00pm.
