Analysis Todd Goldstein

[Impromptu]

With the move of Hamish McIntosh to Geelong, Todd Goldstein of North Melbourne could be a solid SuperCoach selection and is of value.

Name - Todd Goldstein (NTH)
Position - RUC
Price - $497,900
Average - 93.1(20), 113.2(21), 65.8(21), 49.8(13), 39.0(3)
Draw - COL, GEE, SYD, BRL, HAW, PTA, WBD, WCE, ADE, STK, GCS, BYE, FRE

Todd Goldstin and Hamish McIntosh have previously contested the number 1 ruck position at North Melbourne. Without a detailed analysis, it appears that when both Goldstein and McIntosh are healthy and are playing, both suffer from a SuperCoach point of view.

In 2011 and 2012, when Goldstein did well in SuperCoach (ave 93.1 and 113.2), McIntosh only played 8 games in total. The year that both Goldstein and McIntosh played a chunk of games, namely 2010, Goldstein averaged 65. Now with McIntosh moving to Geelong, Goldstein appears to be a solid option.

Goldstein is priced about the same as Shane Mumford without the injury concerns. While Goldstein is no Dean Cox, there is a strong case that without McIntosh in the team, Goldstein could do just as well.

REASONS FOR TODD GOLDSTEIN

Clearly, without McIntosh in the team, Goldstein's average increases exponentially. Goldstein is young and only 24 years old. While North Melbourne have a few tough early games, I don't think it matters as his last few games against these teams have generally been good.

Based on natural progression and Goldstein's starting price, Goldstein appears to be a solid option in anyone's SuperCoach team in 2013.

REASONS AGAINST TODD GOLDSTEIN

I think there is not much reasons not to choose Goldstein except for maybe choosing better alternatives, namely Dean Cox and Matthew Leuenberger (due to value). Another reason could be that with human nature, some people would prefer the Brand Names of Cox and Sandilands, perhaps Naitanui upgraded from Leunberger.

Based on the above, I would normally consider Goldstein, but at this stage and yes I might sound a bit crazy, but I would personally go Shane Mumford over Todd Goldstein. This is mainly due to my Pinch Hitter strategy.

However, last year I said to myself I'll play straight bat with my inital SuperCoach team in 2013 and rely on my trading to do well. Therefore, I might just stick to my plan from last year and play the straight bat with my initial SuperCoach team and just pick Dean Cox with Leuenberger.

However, my inner-self loves going for the slog and the reverse sweep. Continuing the cricket theme, I also use to have the unorthodox batting stance of Aravinda De Silva in club cricket.

Verdict: WATCH(3)

 

[Rowsus]

He fits perfectly with my selection philosophy for 2013.
Was one of the first pencilled in, once Hamish jumped ship.
That's a lock from me.

 

[Goodie's Guns]

He fits perfectly with my selection philosophy for 2013.
Was one of the first pencilled in, once Hamish jumped ship.
That's a lock from me.

Agreed, selected likely but if he has no troubles during the pre-season then is pretty much a lock.
Should average at least 110 I would have thourght.

 

[mpollock]

Hate this bloke with a passion ... doesn't go hard at it and doesn't tackle well. But his stats look impressive and could provide excellent value at his price if he can avg 110ish again. Seems like 90% of teams i have seen have him in it!

Obviously BigMac leaving can't hurt and with Petrie needed up forward i would expect he would shoulder the bulk of the ruck work with perhaps Currie and Daw getting the odd game as a sub.

Tough first 4 rounds (COL, GEE, SYD, BRL) ... so Jolly, BigMac, Mumford/Pike and then Luey ...

How will the new ruck rule affect him? Appreciate any thoughts on this for Goldstein.

 

[Breaker]

Definitely a lot of value here, nearly a lock unless something drastically changes between now and the start of the season.

 

[IDIG]

Not for me but i can see why people would be considering him. I'm planning to start with a R/F, Leuey combo but he and Mummy would be the ones i'd be choosing as my R1 if i wasn't. North apparently have the toughest draw next year which may/may not be worth considering.

 

[johno686]

To much like a yoyo for me to pick him. Better options out there for me.

 

[Damoz]

Unlikely for me - As many people have mentioned, there are better options out there. That being said, the Price is quite tempting - Cheap as chips in my view!

 

[Philzsay]

Watch.

Yes he is decent value, and you are likely to get someone who will ave over the magical three figure mark at just under the 500k. However I am not 100% convinced as others that he will average over 110. Will need some reasonable form in the back end of the Nab Cup for me.

 

[WandP]

Definite watch. I'm a bit worried about the new ruck rules with Goldy. As mpollock alluded to, he seems to lack the tank/desire to influence games outside dominating hit outs and given he's more of the brute strength wrestling type rather than the athletic type, it could be a concern. One of the positives is Geelong and North having their inter-club match simulation training together. AFL umpires officiated so it seems that these 2 clubs are trying to get on the front foot regarding this year's interpretations of various rules, of which i'm sure the ruck rules were included so at least he will have some experience in the interpretation in a semi competitive environment pre-NAB.

My initial plan is if Mumford's looking suspect in NAB cup, will probably go Goldy as i really can't see him reducing his average. If they both look crapola, will be restructuring and going McEvoy.

 

[Torress]

Don't feel the vibe with Goldstein. i want a ruc who pushes FWD more.

its a lot of money but im on sandi and leuy atm with cox fwd. sandi missing games last few years could set him for a big year mentally and physically - and if he scores big he really goes big often. 30 trades might be enough for me to start big sandi

 

[Rowsus]

Don't feel the vibe with Goldstein. i want a ruc who pushes FWD more.

its a lot of money but im on sandi and leuy atm with cox fwd. sandi missing games last few years could set him for a big year mentally and physically - and if he scores big he really goes big often. 30 trades might be enough for me to start big sandi

The biggest thing that worries me with Sandi, outside of the number of games he misses, is the reporting of his (and many other players) injuries.
Quite often 2 weeks, turns into 3 more weeks of "maybe next week", or "test". You don't know where you are, or what you should do. I decided to take the chicken approach, and just avoid the problem all together. Not withstanding the new Ruck rules, he and Cox (and Nicnat?) are miles in front of the field SC wise.

 

[tonyc]

Hate this bloke with a passion ... doesn't go hard at it and doesn't tackle well. But his stats look impressive and could provide excellent value at his price if he can avg 110ish again. Seems like 90% of teams i have seen have him in it!

Obviously BigMac leaving can't hurt and with Petrie needed up forward i would expect he would shoulder the bulk of the ruck work with perhaps Currie and Daw getting the odd game as a sub.

Tough first 4 rounds (COL, GEE, SYD, BRL) ... so Jolly, BigMac, Mumford/Pike and then Luey ...

How will the new ruck rule affect him? Appreciate any thoughts on this for Goldstein.

As a North supporter, I find it hard to agree with the first line - Goldy goes as hard as any ruckman.

Also, I hope Hamish has recovered from his current setback to be fit for Rd 2 as it would be good to see them go head to head. It has been a long-held view at North that Hamish is a below average tap ruckman, but better around the ground, especially forward.

I think Goldy will benefit from the new rule, as he is a big boy with a good leap. At the price, he's a lock in my team (and I normally don't pick North players).

 

[Goodie's Guns]

As a North supporter, I find it hard to agree with the first line - Goldy goes as hard as any ruckman.

Also, I hope Hamish has recovered from his current setback to be fit for Rd 2 as it would be good to see them go head to head. It has been a long-held view at North that Hamish is a below average tap ruckman, but better around the ground, especially forward.

I think Goldy will benefit from the new rule, as he is a big boy with a good leap. At the price, he's a lock in my team (and I normally don't pick North players).

Thanks for the post tonyc and welcome to the site. This is encouraging that a North support reckons Goldstein will do well even with the new changes to the ruck rules, stays a lock for me at his price.