Essendon have made the call to extend 36-year-old ruckman Todd Goldstein on a one-year deal, locking in his services for 2025.
The former shinboner has reached 329 games through 18 years at AFL level, spending all but last season with North Melbourne, where he established one of the all-time great ruck careers in the history of the sport.
He holds the AFL record for hit-outs, this year becoming the first to surpass the 10,000 tally.
But his impact goes beyond the tap-work. He polled 18 Brownlow votes in 2015, a period where North Melbourne seemed to routinely over-achieve with finals victories and places in the penultimate week of the season.
His move to Essendon saw him undertake the role of guiding fellow young rucks, Sam Draper and Nick Bryan, though he has found himself playing a more pivotal role than expected, featuring in 14 senior matches in 2024.
It would take a miracle, but it is possible that Goldstein reaches the 350-game milestone in 2025 with 21 more games, likely in place of an injured teammate or if Draper falls woefully out-of-favour.
Good as gold for season 19 ๐
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) September 20, 2024
โI'm excited to continue to work with Sam and Nick. I felt like we were able to build a great relationship over the last 12 months, and I think a bit more continuity of working together is only going to benefit everyone,โ Goldstein said.
โTo have three really viable options to play in the ruck is going to create a really competitive environment to hopefully drive us all to improve and give us multiple options next year.
โI am really excited by what I have seen over the last 12 months and feel like we have all the capabilities in the room to be a successful side. I am looking forward to seeing what we can all achieve together and continue to push ourselves and each other to get us where we want to get.โ
Bombers GM Daniel McPherson commended the veteran for his leadership and commitment to the club having only experienced the change of scenery last season.
โTodd is the ultimate professional who holds himself and his teammates to high standards on and off the field. With 329 games to his name, Todd's knowledge of the game, and specifically his ruck craft, has been extremely beneficial to fellow rucks Sam and Nick. He has also been a great support and mentor for first-year tallย Vigo Visentini,โ McPherson said.
โTo have someone of Todd's calibre and experience at the club is an asset for our players and coaches. On the field, he also provides us with great flexibility through the partnerships he has built with Sam and Nick. All three players have different ruck styles and characteristics, allowing us flexibility when coming up against different sides.
โWe look forward to seeing Todd in the red and black for a second season.โ
