Goldstein has aspired to be like five-time All Australian Cox since he was drafted by North in 2006, saying the Eagle's endurance, football smarts, strength and marking have set the ruck standard for his generation.
And Goldstein admits there are times he sits back and laughs at Naitanui's ability to leap up to low-flying planes and land cat-like back on terra firma.
That's why the 24-year-old Roo is looking to keep things simple ahead of his crucial clash with the Eagles pair in this Sunday's first elimination final at Patersons Stadium.
"Dean's probably got on top of us the last three or four times. I reckon he's got three Brownlow votes in nearly every one of those games," Goldstein said.
"And if Nic gets a good jump at it there's not one player in the league who can stop him. He could probably jump over Sandilands the way he's been jumping.
"But all I'm focused on is trying to create a contest and trying to stop them. I don't need to give it to our midfielders on a silver platter. I just need to provide a contest."
Goldstein has played against the Cox-Naitanui tag team just twice, in round three, 2010, and in round 15 this year at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.
But the most recent game provides the most reliable form guide for two reasons: Goldstein had fellow Roos big man Hamish McIntosh for support in the 2010 clash, when Naitanui had yet to develop into the spectacular match-winner he is now.
What happened in round 15 this season underlines just how big Goldstein's task is this Sunday.
After North jumped out to a 35-point lead midway through the second quarter, Cox almost single-handedly dragged the Eagles to a two-point win, racking up 21 possessions and kicking 3.1
There were mitigating circumstances for Goldstein and North though.
First, most of Cox's damage was done in the final quarter after Goldstein copped a heavy bump in the third quarter.
And Cox's game-high six marks inside North's defensive 50 came against a North defence that was missing its best key defender, Scott Thompson.
Nonetheless, Goldstein is determined to prevent a repeat of that game.
"It was one of those games that Dean and Nic Nat are capable of and it shows that if you give them half an inch they can really take advantage of it," Goldstein says.
"That's the focus, playing out the four quarters and stopping them from having that major impact.
"If you let them string a four-quarter performance like that it can really turn the game."
Goldstein expects Cox and Naitanui to try to run him into the ground this Sunday, but will back his renowned endurance and try to be "smart and not run to stupid positions".
He knows he can call on occasional ruck support from tall forwards Drew Petrie and Lachlan Hansen, but is mindful North's attack is more potent when they're inside the forward 50 alongside Robbie Tarrant.
Goldstein saw the way former teammate David Hale, now at Hawthorn, was able to block Naitanui's run at the ball last round by crossing the line early at centre bounces and may try the same tactic.
"That's something to take on board. It worked really well for 'Haley'. I'll probably sit down with our ruck coach Alex Ishchenko … and really nut out a plan," Goldstein said.
Goldstein goes into Sunday's game on the back of two quiet games following a bout of gastro before North's round 22 loss to Fremantle.
He had just two possessions and eight hitouts against Freo and was beaten by Greater Western Sydney duo Dean Brogan and Jonathan Giles last Saturday.
However, Goldstein is confident he can return to the form that saw him dominate two-time premiership ruckman Darren Jolly in North's round 21 win over Collingwood.
"I think you feel the affects of food poisoning or gastro for a week or so," Goldstein says.
"I got it last year [before North's round one against West Coast] as well and you definitely do feel it for another week or so.
"But I've had no issues this week and have been able to do full training and I'm feeling really good and looking forward to Sunday."
Nick Bowen covers North Melbourne news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club or the AFL.
