You could mount a case for his tap work in the first couple of seasons post-saga suspension being the best in the league.
Although this time period also coincides with the rise of Gawn.
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Wasnāt he AA with port?
His tap work was always brilliant, even if he didnāt win the majority his hitouts to advantage were a class above
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Paddy certainly was, especially 2017
AA ruckman and totally justified.
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Old Gold: Why success looks very different for selfless Bomber
Initially viewed as a mentor and unofficial coach for Essendonās promising trio of rucks, injury has seen Todd Goldstein thrust back into the spotlight
TODD Goldstein entered the year in one of the most unique positions any AFL footballer has ever found themselves in. Essentially, Goldstein knew that if he did his job well enough, he wouldnāt be playing.
A full-time footballer, Goldstein wanted to play at AFL level. But, as the mentor and quasi-coach to Essendonās promising trio of developing ruck options, he was very aware that it was perhaps more important to coach himself out of a job.
It was a conflicting position for the much-loved and highly respected veteran to find himself in, but one he was content with. Goldstein would watch the sideās AFL matches from the coachesā box, offering any advice he could to Sam Draper and Nick Bryan, before playing in the VFL where his priority was often to guide Vigo Visentini.
The role that was sold to him, therefore, was for Goldstein to effectively ensure his younger teammates would supplant him in the pecking order. For a highly competitive former All-Australian, it was a tricky situation to be in, but a selfless one to accept.
āYes, there was that conflict of interest I guess,ā Goldstein told AFL.com.au this week.
"But for me, Iāve always had the mentality of whatās best for the football club. If me being in the coachesā box and playing VFL ā and I was actually really enjoying playing in the VFL and helping to mentor the young kids, because weāve got a lot of young kids who are still learning how to be AFL footballers ā so I was really enjoying that side of it.
āThat was my outlet. On AFL game day, it was doing whatever I could to help the boys. I feel like Iāve taken to it quite naturally. Iāve actually really enjoyed it and I think Iāve enjoyed it more than I thought I would.ā
But then, in the space of just six days, the situation Goldstein had just become comfortable with would be dramatically altered once again. First, Bryan went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Not even a week later, Draper ruptured his Achilles in a blow that would rule him out for the year as well.
Suddenly, and barely two months shy of his 37th birthday, Goldstein had been thrust back into the AFL limelight. Having initially come to terms with being a bit-part option in Brad Scottās senior plans, Goldstein is now the main man again and someone the Bombers will have to rely upon for much of the season.
āThe conversation me and Brad have always had is to stay ready,ā Goldstein said.
"Now, I didnāt think that was serious. I thought I was a one per cent chance of playing at all this year. But, in the end, I came to this footy club to help on and off the field and I feel like I can still help on the field.
āItās definitely been a whirlwind. As I said, itās not something I thought was really on the cards, even three weeks ago. Obviously, Iāve always had that desire to play at the top level and to see if I can still play at the top level. And thatās the thing Iāve noticed over the last couple of weeks, that I still can play at that level.ā
Ahead of this season, his 19th in the game, Goldstein knew that his path to senior football would be difficult. It was a fact hammered home to him when he returned for pre-season training and saw the vast improvements made by a 23-year-old Bryan and a 26-year-old Draper.
āOnce I signed on at the end of last year, the club never said I would play or wouldnāt play,ā Goldstein said. "But I could see, with the work Iād done with āBryzaā, his improvement and his fitness levels had come up a lot. I felt like he was always going to get the first crack.
āHim and āDrapesā were going pretty well and I was really happy sitting in the coachesā box, coaching them and helping them where I could. Thatās when I realised, unless these guys got injured or needed a week off, that would be my only real way of playing.ā
But Goldstein was still desperate to do just that. While he was sold on his newfound coaching role, and loved mentoring Essendonās youngsters at VFL level, he would often find himself squirming whenever he was sat alongside Scott in the coachesā box. The desire to prove himself in the biggest games never left him.
Itās perhaps why his return to the senior fold has been so impressive. In his first game back against Collingwood on Anzac Day, Goldstein was Essendonās fourth-highest rated player. He performed just as admirably last week against North Melbourne, with a pivotal last-quarter role helping the side cling to a three-point win.
āYouāre always itching to be out there,ā Goldstein said.
āYou never want to sit there watching. There were always times where youād say, āIād love to be out there right now and Iād love to be helpingā. Especially when things arenāt going well. You think, āCould I make a difference?ā But that just showed me I still had that desire.ā
While his role on Thursday night was an important one, Goldsteinās approach to the season was perhaps more evident just 12 hours later. The very next day, there he was at Windy Hill, coaching 19-year-old teammate Visentini through the sideās VFL clash against the Kangaroos.
Goldstein has not only been covering for the loss of Bryan and Draper at AFL level, but heās also ensured that Visentini hasnāt been exposed to the rigours of senior football too soon. But heās confident his young 203cm protĆ©gĆ©, and former VFL teammate, is capable of eventually making the step up.
āHeās coming along really well,ā Goldstein said of Visentini.
"It takes a little while, especially these days for kids from the under-18s coming into senior footy, and with the new ruck rule, because thereās a lot more physicality. Itās just about teaching him the physicality side of it.
āBut the last two or three weeks, heās been playing as the No.1 ruck in the VFL and heās really stepped up. Iāve seen that improvement in him. I think itās just about working on his physicality. Itās about getting stronger, getting used to the hits, and looking to try and assert himself physically on the game.ā
Goldsteinās caring nature is on display around Visentini, just as it was all the way through last Thursday nightās clash against his former side North Melbourne. After 315 games across 17 seasons at Arden Street, in a period that included an All-Australian blazer and a Syd Barker Medal, it made for a night of mixed emotions.
āI absolutely hated every second of it, every single second,ā Goldstein said.
"Thereās staff and players on that side of the field that are family. Iāve grown up with them. The person I am today is because of the North Melbourne Football Club and the values that were instilled in me as an 18, 19, 20-year-old. Thatās what carried me forward.
āI didnāt enjoy any bit of it. Iām more of the nurturing type than having a point to prove. I look at players like Bailey Scott and Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke, who Iāve worked really closely with, and I really care about how theyāre going. I just wanted to get through it and get on to next week.ā
Next week brings Brodie Grundy and Sydney. After battling through Darcy Cameron and Tristan Xerri in his first two games back in the senior fold ā both All-Australian squad members last year ā Grundy, a two-time All-Australian himself, will undoubtedly provide another difficult test.
Goldstein, though, is confident heās up to it. He might be 36 now, with 331 games under his belt, but his body still feels good. He played 100 per cent game time in the final quarter last week, while the nine-day break between fixtures has certainly helped.
But can he last another 16 weeks? And potentially more, should Essendon play finals?
āIām as confident, with no evidence to back that up, as I can be,ā Goldstein laughed.
"I got through 14 games last year and 12 in a row in the first half of the season. I feel like I can do it. Like anyone, thereās going to be weeks where you might be a bit sore or you might not feel as fresh. But Iāll back in my professionalism and the way I recover and the work I put in. Iāll back that in every day.
āThereās no reason to think I canāt still do it.ā
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Onya Goldy! Keep on keep inā on
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Gerryn has been pretty consistent hitting the scoreboard at VFL level.
Goldy has delivered everything we have asked for. Has been a good addition by Scott. Weāre lucky to have him.
Fully expect Vissentini to get a run near the back end of the year, or maybe even sooner if he keeps beating opponents in the VFL.
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Great game today Old Gold
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Lucky to have him. Heās giving his all.
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Three year extension, pls.
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Played like a 30 year old today
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Itās like he has restored the fabric to Essendon
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Great game by Goldie. He never, ever gives up. Busts his guts out all game.
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So many good marks today
Old Gold helping out the team in dire need and having a crack nothing but respect for this bloke
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Played with all the youth of a 36 year old
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My favoriuite is Goldy tapping the ball to ground and Durham kicks a goal
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Deserves a 5 yr extension.
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He was excellent today.
I was worried how he would pull up after looking smashed at the end of last weekās game.
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Liked his game. Was doing plenty around the ground, finding space to be an option and impacting marking contests.
Grundy is probably a good match up for him
English is not going to be so but heāll be sure to give his all regardless
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I absolutely love this guy. Not only is he all heart, hes a very smart footballer. A trait most of our + >25 yoās not called Zach are lacking in spades
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