Harvey, Petrie, Archer, Simpson, Schimmelbusch.
These are the names Todd Goldstein hopes to join as a part of the North Melbourne 300-game club.
“I think it is hard not to be aware of the games played list at the footy club and some of the names that are on that … that is a massive carrot,” Goldstein told foxsports.com.au.
“North has a good history of keeping players. Not too many players leave for the sake of leaving. I genuinely love this footy club and would love to be a 300-game player.”
Towards the end of the 2019 season however, that didn’t always look likely, with the ruckman admitting rival offers from St Kilda and Geelong were a temptation.
“I was close (to leaving), but it was also complicated. Brady (Rawlings) was on gardening leave. We had got rid of our list manager. It was hard for my manager to get too much traction at times with North.”
But once key positions were filled, including Rhyce Shaw (Senior Coach), the 31-year-old says the decision to stay was an easy one.
“There was that unknown and at the end of the year there is always going to be other clubs calling, but it was reasonably close. My preference was always to stay at North if I could.
“The big thing for me was I was really happy where I was. I wasn’t looking to leave because I was unhappy or anything like that. For me it was about trying to get that job security.
“With some long-term deals on the table it was hard to say no to them, so I did need North to come with me to a point. But I felt like I had enough runs on the board and I’d been fairly healthy that I could play out those three years.”
The fresh faces in leadership positions and coaching department have given Goldstein a renewed energy and optimism.
“It 100 per cent feels like a new place. There is a new energy about it. We want to move in a different direction,” Goldstein said.
“With Shawry coming in and Brady Rawlings coming on board, we were really changing the direction of the footy club and I was really excited by that.”
And despite turning 34 at the end of his current deal, the number 22 is optimistic he’ll be able to earn another contract.
“I hope I can. A lot of water has to go under the bridge in the next two and a half years, but I feel as good as I ever have, and I’m running as well as I ever have in pre-season,” he said.
“Obviously you do need to understand when to go and when not to at this age, but there is no reason why I can’t – as long as I’m still feeling fresh mentally.”
Goldstein will represent Victoria this Friday in the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief match at Marvel Stadium.
